Reinforced Package
A reinforced package disclosed herein. The package comprises a bag and a reinforcing sleeve attached to the bag. The bag comprises an open end, a closed end, and an interior space for holding a product. The bag is positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space is reduced and in an erect position wherein the interior space is increased. The reinforcing sleeve comprises a plurality of panels configured to at least partially receive the closed end of the bag. The plurality of panels comprise a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the font panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to one of the first and second side panels. The reinforcing sleeve is configured to maintain the bag in the erect position.
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The present disclosure generally relates to packages for holding products. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to packages having a reinforcing sleeve for supporting a bag in an erect position.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn one aspect, the present disclosure is generally directed to a reinforced package. The package comprises a bag and a reinforcing sleeve attached to the bag. The bag comprises an open end, a closed end, and an interior space for holding a product. The bag is positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space is reduced and in an erect position wherein the interior space is increased. The reinforcing sleeve comprises a plurality of panels configured to at least partially receive the closed end of the bag. The plurality of panels comprise a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the font panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to one of the first and second side panels. The reinforcing sleeve is configured to maintain the bag in the erect position.
In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a reinforcing sleeve for a bag. The reinforcing sleeve comprises a plurality of panels configured to at least partially receive the bag. The plurality of panels comprise a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the font panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to one of the first and second side panels. The reinforcing sleeve is configured to maintain the bag in an erect position against a surface.
Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying figures.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.
According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.
Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTSThe present disclosure generally relates to reinforced packages for holding products such as food products or other articles. Packages according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 10 can include one or more adhesive regions 41, 43, and 45 on the first back panel 23, front panel 21, and/or second back panel 25, respectively, for receiving adhesive and being fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the bag 3. Furthermore, the blank 10 has a first edge 52 and a bottom edge 53 extending in the longitudinal direction L2. In one embodiment, the adhesive regions 41, 43, 45 are separated from the first edge 52 by a first distance D1 and are separated from the bottom edge 53 by a second distance D2. In one embodiment, the first distance D1 is less than the second distance D2. The first and second side panels 28, 29 and regions separate from the adhesive regions 41, 43, 45 may be generally free from adhesive in some embodiments, or may include adhesive in alternative embodiments. Additionally, the first and second distances D1, D2, adhesive regions 41, 43, 45, and/or edges 52, 53 can be otherwise arranged, shaped, modified, or omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Generally, the blank 10 may be folded about fold lines 26, 27 to create the reinforcing sleeve 5. For example, distal ends 55, 57 of the first and second back panels 23, 25 may be overlapped, and the sleeve 5 attached to the bag 3 as illustrated in
For example, turning to
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 70 can include one or more adhesive regions 91, 93, and 95 on the first back panel 73, front panel 71, and/or second back panel 75, respectively, for receiving adhesive and being fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the bag 3. Furthermore, the blank 70 has a first edge 102 and a bottom edge 103 extending in the longitudinal direction L2. In one embodiment, the adhesive regions 91, 93, 95 are separated from the first edge 102 and the bottom edge 103. The first and second side panels 78, 79 and regions separate from the adhesive regions 91, 93, 95 may be generally free from adhesive in some embodiments, or may include adhesive in alternative embodiments. Additionally, adhesive regions 91, 93, 95, and/or edges 102, 103 can be otherwise arranged, shaped, modified, or omitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Generally, the blank 70 may be folded about fold lines 76, 77 to create the reinforcing sleeve 6. For example, distal ends 105, 107 of the first and second back panels 73, 75 may be overlapped, and the sleeve 6 attached to the bag 3 as illustrated in
For example,
Generally, as described herein, bags can be formed from a paper stock material, although various plastic or other bag materials also can be used, and can be lined or coated with a desired material. The reinforcing sleeves described herein can be made from a more rigid material such as a clay-coated natural kraft (“CCNK”). Other materials such various card-stock, paper, plastic or other synthetic or natural materials also can be used to form the components of the packages described herein.
While the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to specific aspects and embodiments, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention and to set forth the best mode of practicing the invention known to the inventors at the time the invention was made. The detailed description set forth herein is illustrative only and is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements of the present invention. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used only for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., joined, attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are connected directly and in fixed relation to each other. Further, various elements discussed with reference to the various embodiments may be interchanged to create entirely new embodiments coming within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A reinforced package, comprising:
- a bag comprising an open end, a closed end, and an interior space for holding a product, the bag being positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space is reduced and in an erect position wherein the interior space is increased; and
- a reinforcing sleeve attached to the bag and comprising a plurality of panels configured to at least partially receive the closed end of the bag, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the font panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to one of the first and second side panels;
- wherein the reinforcing sleeve is configured to maintain the bag in the erect position.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises:
- a third side panel foldably connected to the first side panel; and
- a fourth side panel foldably connected to the second side panel;
- wherein the at least one back panel is foldably connected to one of the third and fourth side panels.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the at least one back panel is a first back panel, the first back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises:
- a second back panel foldably connected to the fourth side panel.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are foldably connected to the front panel at respective arcuate fold lines.
5. The package of claim 3, wherein the first back panel at least partially overlaps the second back panel.
6. The package of claim 2, wherein the first side panel and the third side panel form a first side of the package when the bag is positioned in the erect position, and the second side panel and the fourth side panel form a second side of the package when the bag is positioned in the erect position.
7. The package of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing sleeve further comprises a first edge and a bottom edge, and the bag extends upward from the first edge.
8. The package of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing sleeve further comprises a first edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge forms a support when the bag is positioned in the erect configuration, the support is for contacting a surface to maintain the package in an upright positioning on the surface.
9. The package of claim 8, wherein the support comprises a first edge of the front panel and a second edge of the back panel, the first edge and the second edge being spaced apart.
10. The package of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing sleeve further comprises a first edge and a bottom edge, the front panel and the back panel converge at the bottom edge of the package.
11. The package of 2, wherein the first side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a first arcuate fold line, the third side panel is foldably connected to the first side panel at a first straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel at a second arcuate fold line, the first arcuate fold line and the second arcuate fold line are spaced apart from the first straight fold line.
12. The package of 11, wherein the second side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a third arcuate fold line, the fourth side panel is foldably connected to the second side panel at a second straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the fourth side panel at a fourth arcuate fold line, the third arcuate fold line and the fourth arcuate fold line are spaced apart from the second straight fold line.
13. The package of claim 2, wherein the first side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a first arcuate fold line, the third side panel is foldably connected to the first side panel at a first straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel at a second arcuate fold line, the first arcuate fold line and the second arcuate fold line intersect at the first straight fold line.
14. The package of claim 13, wherein the second side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a third arcuate fold line, the fourth side panel is foldably connected to the second side panel at a second straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the fourth side panel at a fourth arcuate fold line, the third arcuate fold line and the fourth arcuate fold line intersect at the second straight fold line.
15. The package of claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises a notch adjacent the open end for access to the interior space of the bag.
16. The package of claim 1, wherein the bag further comprises a flap adjacent the open end for access to the interior space of the bag.
17. The package of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises gusseted sides adjacent the first and second side panels.
18. The package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the front panel is fixedly attached to an exterior surface of the bag.
19. The package of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the at least one back panel is fixedly attached to the exterior surface of the bag.
20. The package of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes an adhesive region, the adhesive region is separate from a top free edge of the front panel by a first distance, the adhesive region is separate from a bottom free edge of the front panel by a second distance, and the first distance is less than the second distance.
21. The package of claim 20, wherein the closed end of the bag is configured to extend upwards towards the adhesive region when the bag is positioned in the erect position.
22. A reinforcing sleeve for receiving a bag, comprising:
- a plurality of panels configured to at least partially receive the bag, the plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the font panel, and at least one back panel foldably connected to one of the first and second side panels, wherein the reinforcing sleeve is configured to maintain the received bag in an erect position against a surface.
23. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 22, wherein the plurality of panels further comprises:
- a third side panel foldably connected to the first side panel; and
- a fourth side panel foldably connected to the second side panel;
- wherein the at least one back panel is foldably connected to one of the third and fourth side panels.
24. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 23, wherein the at least one back panel is a first back panel, the first back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel, and the plurality of panels further comprises:
- a second back panel foldably connected to the fourth side panel.
25. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 24, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are foldably connected to the front panel at respective arcuate fold lines.
26. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 24, wherein the first back panel is for at least partially overlapping the second back panel.
27. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 23, wherein the first side panel and the third side panel are for forming a first side of the sleeve, and the second side panel and the fourth side panel are for forming a second side of the sleeve.
28. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 23, further comprising a first edge and a bottom edge, and the received bag is configured to extend upward from the first edge.
29. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 23, further comprising a first edge and a bottom edge, the bottom edge forms a support, the support is for contacting the surface to maintain the sleeve and the received bag in an upright position on the surface.
30. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 29, wherein the support comprises a first edge of the front panel and a second edge of the back panel, the first edge and the second edge being spaced apart.
31. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 23, further comprising a first edge and a bottom edge, the front panel and the back panel converge at the bottom edge of the package.
32. The package of 23, wherein the first side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a first arcuate fold line, the third side panel is foldably connected to the first side panel at a first straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel at a second arcuate fold line, the first arcuate fold line and the second arcuate fold line are spaced apart from the first straight fold line.
33. The package of 32, wherein the second side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a third arcuate fold line, the fourth side panel is foldably connected to the second side panel at a second straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the fourth side panel at a fourth arcuate fold line, the third arcuate fold line and the fourth arcuate fold line are spaced apart from the second straight fold line.
34. The package of claim 23, wherein the first side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a first arcuate fold line, the third side panel is foldably connected to the first side panel at a first straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the third side panel at a second arcuate fold line, the first arcuate fold line and the second arcuate fold line intersect at the first straight fold line.
35. The package of claim 34, wherein the second side panel is foldably connected to the front panel at a third arcuate fold line, the fourth side panel is foldably connected to the second side panel at a second straight fold line, the at least one back panel is foldably connected to the fourth side panel at a fourth arcuate fold line, the third arcuate fold line and the fourth arcuate fold line intersect at the second straight fold line.
36. The reinforcing sleeve of claim 22, wherein the front panel includes an adhesive region, the adhesive region is separate from a top free edge of the front panel by a first distance, the adhesive region is separate from a bottom free edge of the front panel by a second distance, and the first distance is less than the second distance.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Applicant: Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
Inventor: Joseph C. Walsh (Boulder, CO)
Application Number: 13/826,937
International Classification: B65D 30/00 (20060101); B65D 30/20 (20060101); B65D 30/08 (20060101);