Abstract:
The dispensing package of the present invention provides a package that can be loaded with a flowable particulate material and sealed to provide a package for storage, shipment, and distribution of the of the particulate material. The dispensing package has a series of internal seals that are spaced apart from each other to define distribution flow channels through which the particulate material can be controllably dispensed from within the package. The dispensing package can be reclosed and resealed by the consumer after opening to allow for storage of the remaining particulate material until needed. A dispensing package can be used to dispense and distribute a wide variety of materials. For example, it is particularly useful for dispensing particulate materials having a relatively small average cross section such as pellets, grains, powders, seeds, plant nutrient, insect dust, and chalk.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a dispenser package, and more particularly to a recloseable pouch-like package having a series of interior distribution channels for dispensing a flowable particulate matter. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is common to spread flowable particulate materials, such as powders, seeds, pellets, and the like, over a surface using mechanical spreading equipment that distributes the particulate material from a hopper. In general, such equipment can be rather bulky and cumbersome to use and operate. Additionally, such equipment is generally only used when it is desirable to spread the particulate material over a relatively large surface area. 
         [0003]    In some cases, the mechanical equipment may have only limited access or maneuverability in the area over which the particulate material is to be spread. In such cases, it may be necessary to spread the particulate matter using hand spreading or spreading with a hand-held scoop. This type of spreading can result in uneven spreading over the target surface. It can also result in spillage of the particulate material. Accordingly, there exists a need for alternatives means for spreading particulate materials. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The dispensing package of the present invention provides a package that can be loaded with a flowable particulate material and sealed to provide a package for storage, shipment, and distribution of the of the particulate material. The dispensing package has a series of internal seals that are spaced apart from each other to define distribution flow channels through which the particulate material can be controllably dispensed from within the package. The dispensing package can be reclosed and resealed by the consumer after opening to allow for storage of the remaining particulate material until needed. A wide variety of products can be dispensed from the package. For example, it is particularly useful for dispensing particulate materials having a relatively small average cross section such as pellets, grains, powders, seeds, plant nutrient, insect dust, and chalk. 
         [0005]    The dispensing package of the present invention includes opposed flexible first and second sheets, each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposed side edges extending longitudinally from the top edge to the bottom edge. Side seams extend longitudinally along the opposed side edges to join the front and back walls to one another. When in a closed state, the dispensing package includes a closure and an opposite bottom closure that both extend transversely across the width of the package from one side edge to the opposite side edge to define a closed package having an interior space therebetween. Collectively, the bottom closure, top closure, and opposite side seams define a sealed package having an interior space for containing a flowable particulate matter therein. 
         [0006]    The dispensing package can be formed by forming the side seams and bottom closure to produce a package having an interior space wherein the top edges of the first and second sheets are unconnected to thereby define an opening into the interior space of the package. The package can then be at least partially filled by introducing a flowable particulate matter into the interior of the package through the opening. After filling, the top end of the package can be sealed with a top seam that extends laterally across the width of the package from one side edge to an opposite side edge. 
         [0007]    In one advantageous embodiment, a series of interior seals are located between the first and second sheets and extend from one side edge to the opposite side edge. The series of interior seals join the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets to one another in discrete areas that are spaced apart from one another. The interior seals are located in the interior of the package between the top edge and the bottom closure, and preferably are adjacent to the bottom closure. The interior seals define unsealed regions of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets that are located between the adjacent spaced apart interior seals. These unsealed regions define distribution channels through which particulate material may flow from the interior of the package in the direction of the bottom closure. 
         [0008]    The interior seals are configured and arranged to control the flow rate at which the particulate material may exit the package. In one embodiment, the spacing between adjacent interior seals is at least 10 times the width dimension of the seals, and in particular at least 15 times the width dimensions of the seals. In some embodiments, the interior seals are spaced apart from one another by a distance of from about 1 cm to 8 cm, and preferably by a distance of from about 4 cm to 6 cm. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, as initially manufactured, the front and back walls are unsealed along the top edge to allow for filling of the dispensing package by a manufacturer through the open top end of the package. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a portion of the bottom closure of the package may include a bottom seam that extends transversely from one side edge to the opposite side edge. The bottom seam can be opened by tearing or cutting along a portion of the bottom end of the dispensing package to thereby provide access to the resealable closure. The package may include notch, tab, line of weakening, or cutting designation that helps facilitate tearing of the package. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, a transversely extending resealable closure is spaced inwardly from the bottom closure of the first and second sheets and joins the first and second sheets to one another to form a resealable opening for the dispensing package. After the bottom seam has been removed, the dispsensing package may be selectively opened along resealable closure. Thereafter, distribution of the particulate material may be achieved by grasping the dispensing package and shaking, which causes flowable particulate material within package to be dispensed through the distribution channels. The flowable particulate material flows through the distribution channels and is distributed out of the now open bottom closure. A user can readily control distribution, by simply orienting the dispensing package above an object or area over which distribution of the particulate material is desired, and shaking the package appropriately. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0012]    Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective of a dispensing package in which the particulate material is shown in the process of being dispensed; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a dispensing package in which the top end of the package is opened for receiving a particulate material therein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a is an illustration of the dispensing package wherein a portion of the first sheet has been broken away to better illustrate the distribution channels; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a dispensing package in the process of being filled with a particulate material; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a dispensing package in the process of having a portion of the bottom end of the dispensing packaged removed to create an opening through which particulate material may be distributed; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a graphical illustration of the dispensing package of  FIG. 5  in the process of dispensing and distributing a particulate material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may 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 satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0020]    A dispensing package in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as indicated generally in the drawing figures by the reference character  10 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dispensing package includes first and second sheets  12 ,  14  formed of a flexible material that are arranged in opposing face-to-face relationship with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second sheets  12 ,  14  are of a generally rectangular shape, each having a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  18  and opposite side edges  20  that extend longitudinally from the top edge  16  to the bottom edge  18 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  has a top end  21  and an opposite bottom end  24 . In the context of the invention, the term “package” is used in a generic sense and should be recognized to include bags, sacks, pouches, satchels and the like. 
         [0021]    The first and second sheets  12 , 14  are joined to one another along the opposed side edges  20  by side seams  26 . The side seams  26 , as well as the other seams of the dispensing package to be described presently, can be formed by any of various methods conventionally used in the packaging industry, including seams formed mechanically, such as by sewing or stapling, adhesively, or by fusion, such as by forming seals by with heat or ultrasonic energy. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the first and second sheets are made from a heat sealable material and the side seams  26  are formed by producing a fusion bond or seal between contacting interior surfaces of the first and second sheet using pressure and heat or ultrasonic energy as is well known. Although referred to herein as “heat seals”, it should be understood that this term is intended to apply both to seals formed by heating the contacting surfaces with a heated anvil or platen, as well as to heating and fusion produced by other methods, such as application of ultrasonic energy. 
         [0022]    The dispensing package  10  also includes a bottom closure  28  that extends transversely from one side edge to the opposite side edge to define a closed bottom for the dispensing package. In one embodiment, the bottom closure is adjacent to the bottom edge  18  of the first and second sheets  12 ,  14 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the dispensing package  10  includes a top seam  30  that extends transversely from one side edge to the opposite side edge to define a top closure  22  of the dispensing package. Collectively, the bottom closure  28 , top closure  22 , and opposite side seams  26  define a sealed package having an interior space  32  for containing a flowable particulate matter therein. 
         [0023]    Located interiorly of the package adjacent the bottom closure  28  is a series of interior seals, indicated collectively by the reference character  50 . The series of interior seals join the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets to one another in discrete areas that are spaced apart from one another. Generally, the interior seals are located in the interior of the package between the top edge and the bottom closure, and preferably adjacent to the bottom closure. The interior seals define unsealed regions  52  of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets that are located between the adjacent spaced apart interior seals. These unsealed regions  52  define distribution channels  54  through which particulate material may flow from the interior of the package in the direction of the bottom closure. In some embodiments, the interior seals may include opposite seals  51  that are positioned in the interior of the dispensing package adjacent to side seams  26 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the dispensing package  10  in which a portion of the front sheet  12  has been removed to help facilitate visualization of the particulate material  19  flowing through the distribution channels  54  from the interior of the package. The interior seals  50  are positioned and arranged to retard the flow of the particulate material through the distribution channels. 
         [0025]    The interior seals are configured and arranged to control the flow rate at which the particulate material may exit the package. For example, the spacing, number, and distribution of the interior seals can be selected so that the particulate material flows through the distribution channels, and hence exits the package, at a desired distribution rate. In one embodiment, the spacing between adjacent interior seals is at least 10 times the width dimension of the seals, and in particular at least 15 times the width dimensions of the seals. In some embodiments, the interior seals are spaced apart from one another by a distance of from about 1 cm to 8 cm, and preferably by a distance of from about 2 cm to 6 cm. In one particular embodiment, the interior seals are spaced apart from one another by a distance of from about 4 cm to 6 cm. 
         [0026]    Generally, the spacing between adjacent interior seals can be selected so that the particulate material flows through the distribution channel at a desired flow rates. The desired flow rate is dependent on the type, nature, and surface on which the particulate material is to be distributed over. In general, the flow rate can be selected by selecting the spacing between the interior seals based on the average particle size of the particulate material to be distributed. In one embodiment the spacing between adjacent interior seals is from about 2 to 3 times the average particle size of the particulate material, and in particular from about 3 to 5 times the average particle size of the particulate material being dispensed. For example, in one embodiment the flowable particulate material comprises grass seed having an average particle size from about 1 mm to 2 mm, and the spacing between adjacent interior seals is from about 25 to 75 times the average particle size of the grass seed. 
         [0027]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dispensing package  10  can be formed by forming the side seams  26  and bottom closure  28  to produce a package having an interior space  32  wherein the top edge  16  of the first and second sheets  12 ,  14  is substantially unattached to thereby define an opening  34  into the interior of the package. The dispensing package can be filled by introducing a flowable particulate matter into the interior  32  of the package through opening  34 , followed by forming a top seam  30  between the first and second sheets to thereby close opening  34 . In one embodiment, top seam  30  is positioned in an area near the top edge of the first and second sheets. Top seam  30  can be formed as discussed above. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the bottom closure  28 , may take the form of a seal or seam  38  joining the first and second sheets to one another along or adjacent to the bottom edges of the sheets. The package may be opened to dispense its contents by cutting or tearing to remove the bottom portion of the package where the bottom seal or seam is located. In some embodiments, the bottom closure  28  may include a resealable closure  36  that extends transversely from one side edge to the opposite side edge. The resealable closure can be any of various known configurations that allow for opening and reclosing of the package. In the illustrated embodiment, the resealable closure comprises a pair of cooperating interlocking strips that are configured to releasably interconnect and to form a “press and seal” or zipper-type releasable interconnection. This type of resealable closure typically includes a rib-like male profile strip and a cooperating groove-like female profile that receives the rib-like male profile to form a seal. The closure can be closed simply by applying pressure along the length of the strips, or in some embodiments a zipper-type slider can be provided to facilitate opening and closing. These two strips are bonded to the interior surfaces of the first and second sheets  12 ,  14  in a suitable manner, preferably by heat sealing. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the package can also include a bottom seam  38  that extends transversely from one side edge to an opposite side edge. The bottom seam  38  seals the package and prevents access to the resealable closure  36  until the dispensing package has been opened by the consumer. In this embodiment, the bottom seam is generally adjacent to the bottom edge of the first and second sheets  12 ,  14 . The dispensing package may include a perforation, notch  40  or other line of weakening that may be conveniently provided adjacent to the bottom seam  38  to make it easier for the consumer to open the package by removing the bottom seam  38  to thereby gain access to the resealable closure  32 . In one embodiment, the perforation, notch  40  or other line of weakening may be formed in a portion of the package between the resealable closure and the bottom seam. In some embodiments, the dispensing package may include a line of weakening  42  that can be used in combination with notch  40  to help facilitate easy opening of the bottom closure. 
         [0030]    As discussed above, the location of the interior seals is typically near the bottom closure of the dispensing package. However, it should be recognized that the exact positions of the interior seals can be varied. In one embodiment, the interior seals may extend between the opposite side ends of the pouch in a substantially linear or straight path. Alternatively, the seals can extend in a substantially non-linear path, such as in a zig-zag path, semi-circular path, or a random path. 
         [0031]    The shape and orientation of the interior seals can also be selected to help control the flow rate at which the particulate material exits the package. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the interior seals are depicted as having a rectangular or oblong shape wherein the length of the interior seal extends generally in the direction of the bottom closure. In embodiments where the interior seals have a rectangular or oblong shape, the interior seals may have a width that is between about 0.15 cm to 0.75 cm, and in particular between about 0.3 cm and 0.65 cm, and a length between about 0.75 cm to 1.25 cm, and in particular between about 0.85 cm and 1 cm. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, the interior seals may have a triangle-like shape, square-like shape, V-like shape, diamond-like shape, and combinations thereof. In a particularly useful embodiment, the interior seals have an inverted triangle or V-like shape that helps to funnel the particulate material in the direction of the distribution channels. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the dispensing package  10  may also include a handle that helps facilitate carrying and use of the dispensing package. In the illustrated embodiments, the top end of the dispensing package includes an upper flap region having one or more handle apertures  17  that are formed in the first and second sheet above the top seam. Handle apertures help facilitate the moving and shaking of the dispensing package. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a dispensing package  10  is depicted in the process of being filled with a particulate material  19 . Once filled the top end  21  of the package is closed by forming a transverse seal between the first and second sheets and that extends from one side seam to the opposite side seam. The dispensing package  10  can be used for distributing a wide variety of different particulate material including pellets, grains, powders, seeds, plant nutrient, insect dust, and chalk, and combinations thereof. 
         [0035]    The dispensing package  10  of the present invention can be fabricated from any of a wide variety of flexible sheet materials conventionally used in the manufacture of packages including paper, coated paper, nonwoven sheet materials, films and laminates. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the package is formed from sheets of thermoplastic polymer film. The first and second sheets  12 ,  14  can be formed from a single ply of film or from a multi-ply film laminate. When the first and second sheets are made from a single ply of flexible polymer film, they may be conveniently printed on either or both surfaces with printed information, indicia, logos and the like. When the front and back walls are made from a multi-ply material, printing may be applied to either or both exterior surfaces of the multi-ply material, or alternatively, one of the plies can be reverse printed with the desired information so that the printing is encapsulated within the multi-ply laminate. In this event, the exterior ply is typically transparent and the interior ply can be transparent or opaque. The single or multi-ply films can be formed from various thermoplastic polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and nylon. When heat sealability is desired, the heat sealable surface preferably includes a sealable polymeric material such as polyethylene or ethylene copolymers. 
         [0036]    In the embodiment shown, the side seams  26  are formed by sealing the opposing interior surfaces of the front first and second sheets  12 ,  14  to one another to form a simple single side seam. However, it is contemplated that when larger or more bulky materials are to be contained within the dispensing package, the sides of the package can be formed with gussets. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the use of a dispensing package  10  that is in accordance with the invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates a filled dispensing package  10  in the process of having the bottom closure  28  of the package opened by tearing along notch  40  to remove bottom seam  38 . Tearing along notch  40  can be used to remove a portion of the bottom end  24  of the dispensing package and thereby provide access to resealable closure  36 . As noted above, the dispensing package may include a line of weakening that helps facilitate tearing of a bottom portion of the dispensing package. 
         [0038]    After the bottom seam has been removed, the dispensing package may be selectively opened along resealable closure  36 . Thereafter, distribution of the particulate material may be achieved by grasping the dispensing package and shaking. In this regard,  FIG. 6  illustrates a user in the process of distributing particulate material from within the interior of the dispensing package. In use, the user holds the packaging dispenser by handle  17 . With the bottom closure now open, a user shakes the dispensing package which causes flowable particulate material  19  (e.g., pellets, grains or powders) within package to be dispensed through the distribution channels, i.e. through the spacing between the interior seals. The flowable particulate material flows through the distribution channels and is distributed out of the now open bottom closure. A user can readily control distribution, by simply orienting the dispensing package above an object or area over which distribution of the particulate material is desired, and shaking the dispensing package  10  appropriately. 
         [0039]    In general, the flowable particulate material may be in a variety of forms, such as, pellets, grains, seeds or powders. The maximum average dimension of the flowable particulate material is typically sufficiently smaller than the average spacing between adjacent interior seals to facilitate distribution, i.e. flow of the particulate material through the base distribution channels. As noted above, the series of interior seals can be distributed in a variety of different patterns, (e.g., linear, zig-zag, wave patterns, semi-circular, etc,) a variety of different shapes and sizes, and population density of distribution to achieve a desired flow rate of the particulate material. In general, for typical preferred embodiments, it is foreseen that a spacing of about 10 to 15 cm between adjacent interior seals may be useful for many application, such as for example distribution of grass seeds or small granular material. 
         [0040]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.