FLEXIBLE PACKAGE CONTAINER

A flexible packaging container is provided. The container is formed of a first flexible film. The container comprises a cavity for receiving a dispensable product, a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The container also comprises at least one strap formed of a second flexible film, the strap located within the cavity. The strap has a first end connected to the first sidewall and a second end connected to the second sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first toFIGS. 1-4concurrently, a flexible packaging container1000in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The flexible packaging container1000generally comprises a container100and a strap200(FIGS. 5 and 6). The container100comprises a first sidewall101, a second sidewall102, a third sidewall103, a fourth sidewall104, a bottom wall105and a top wall106. The first, second, third and fourth sidewalls101-104, the bottom wall105and the top wall106collectively define the structure of the container100and an internal cavity110(seeFIGS. 5 and 6). The first and second sidewalls101,102are positioned opposite one another relative to the cavity110and the third and fourth sidewalls103,104are positioned opposite one another relative to the cavity110. The bottom wall105forms a floor of the container100and the top wall106forms a roof of the container100. The container100comprises a longitudinal axis A-A extending along its length.

The first sidewall101transitions into the third sidewall103at an edge111, into the bottom wall105at an edge112and into the top wall106at an edge114. The third sidewall103transitions into the second sidewall102at an edge113, into the bottom wall105at an edge115and into the top wall106at an edge116. The second sidewall102transitions into the fourth sidewall104at an edge117, into the bottom wall105at an edge118and into the top wall106at an edge119. The fourth sidewall104transitions into the bottom wall105at an edge120, into the top wall106at an edge121and into the first sidewall101at an edge122.

In some embodiments, the entire container100is formed from a single unitary sheet and connected at only one of the edges. In such an embodiment, each of the edges111-122is merely a crease line or transition point between each of the sidewalls, top wall and bottom wall101-106. However, in certain other embodiments each of the sidewalls, top wall and bottom wall101-106are separately formed and connected during a later stage of the manufacturing process. In such an embodiment, the edges111-121are the location at which the sidewalls, top wall and bottom wall101-106are connected. Regardless of how the container100is formed, in certain embodiments it forms an ashlars' block shape.

The container100is able to be positioned in an upright manner such that the container100can maintain its structure and shape with the bottom wall or floor105positioned adjacent to a flat surface. Thus, the container100can be displayed in a retail store such that at least one of its sidewalls101-104faces outward towards a consumer. This can be advantageous when one of the sidewalls101-104comprises a product indicia that is desired to be viewable by the consumer as will be described in more detail below. Furthermore, as will be understood from the description below, the container100comprises a relatively small depth (relative to the height and length) thus allowing several of the containers100to be displayed upright and aligned on a shelf in a back-to-front manner.

The container100is suitable for containing any type of dispensable product therein. In certain embodiments, the dispensable product is a granular product such as a dry cat or dog food. Thus, in some embodiments the invention described herein is a combination of the flexible packaging container1000and a granular or dry dog or cat food contained therein. However, where not explicitly recited in the claims, the invention is not to be so limited and the container100can contain any type of dispensable or flowable product therein.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3and6concurrently, the top wall106of the container100comprises a closure mechanism130that is movable between a closed position whereby access to the cavity110through the top wall106is prohibited and an open position (not illustrated) whereby a re-sealable opening136is formed in the top wall106that provides a passageway into the cavity110. Thus, the container100comprises the re-sealable opening136for dispensing the dispensable product from the cavity110when the closure mechanism130is in the open position.

In the exemplified embodiment, the closure mechanism130is illustrated as a slider131. Thus, the top wall106includes two strips132a,132bextending upwardly therefrom that are interlocked together in the direction of the longitudinal axis A-A when the closure mechanism130is in the closed state. The strips132a,132bcomprise connecting lugs (not illustrated) made of a plastic material. When the slider131is slid along the strips132a,132bin a first longitudinal direction the connecting lugs of the strips132become interlocked to one another, thereby sealing the strips132a,132btogether and prohibiting access to the cavity110. When the slider131is slid along the strips132a,132bin a second longitudinal direction opposite the first longitudinal direction, the connecting lugs of the strips132a,132bbecome unlocked thereby permitting access into the cavity110through the re-sealable opening136in the top wall106. Of course, the invention is not limited to the particular closure mechanism130exemplified and in other embodiments the closure mechanism may be achieved by adhesion, hook-and-loop, snaps, fasteners, buttons or the like. The closure mechanism130is able to be opened completely or partially as may be desired for scooping the product from the container100or pouring the product from the container100, respectively.

Referring again toFIGS. 1-4concurrently, the container100also comprises a first handle134extending from the edge113between the first sidewall101and the top wall106and a second handle135extending from the edge119between the second sidewall102and the top wall106. The edge113can be considered the first top edge of the first sidewall101and the edge119may be considered the second top edge of the second sidewall102.

In the exemplified embodiment the first and second handles134,135are transversely aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis A-A for easy gripping of both handles134,135simultaneously. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment, the first and second handles134,135are transversely aligned at a central region along the longitudinal axis A-A such that each of the handles134,135is equally spaced from the third and fourth sidewalls103,104.

The first handle134comprises an aperture136and the second handle135comprises an aperture137. The apertures136,137enable a user to easily hold and carry the container100by gripping the handles134,135via insertion of their hand and/or fingers into the apertures136,147. Of course, the invention is not to be limited by the particular location of the handles134,135and they may extend from edges other than those particularly described above or be unaligned in other embodiments. Furthermore, in still other embodiments the container100may only comprise a single handle connected to and extending between the edges116,121or the edges113,119or the handle may be completely omitted.

When it is desired for a user to pour out the dispensable product from the cavity110of the container100, the user need only grip the handles134,135and expose a portion of the resealable opening136by moving the slider131in the first longitudinal direction. Once partially opened, the user can tilt the container100and the dispensable product will be dispensed from the cavity110and through the re-sealable opening136. Alternatively, the re-sealable opening136can be fully opened and the dispensable product scooped out of the cavity110. The structure of the container100significantly simplifies the dispensing relative to conventional containers, particularly dog and cat food packaging containers.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2only, the container100will be described in more detail. The first sidewall101comprises a first central region140and the second sidewall102comprises a second central region (not illustrated). Although the second central region is not illustrated, it should be understood that it occupies the same spatial region of the second sidewall102as the first central region140occupies on the first sidewall101. Thus, the first central region140is transversely aligned with the second central region. The first central region140is a region on the first sidewall101that is equidistant from the edges112,113and equidistant from the edges111,122. However, the exact dimensions of the first central region140are not limiting of the present invention and thus the central region140can be larger or smaller than exemplified and depicted herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that in certain other embodiments the first central region140may be slightly offset from center and thus the exact location of the central region140is not limiting of the present invention.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first central region140comprises product indicia141on an outer surface142of the container100, and more particularly on the outer surface142of the first sidewall101. In the exemplified embodiment, the product indicia141is a logo, such as the logo of a manufacturer of the container100and the dispensable product contained therein. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the product indicia141can be any other type of information desired to be displayed on the outer surface142of the container100, such as, for example without limitation, product information, bar codes, product directions or instructions and the like.

In certain embodiments, only one of the first central region140and the second central region will comprise the product indicia141thereon. However, in other embodiments both of the first central region140and the second central region will comprise the product indicia141,143(seeFIG. 6).

Referring again toFIGS. 1-4concurrently, the dimensions of an exemplified embodiment of the container100will be described. As described above, in the exemplified embodiment the container100comprises a block shape. In one specific embodiment, the container100is an ashlar's block shape. Thus, the container100has a length LC, a height HCand a depth DC. The first and second sidewalls101,102extend along and define the container length LCand the container height HCwhereas the third and fourth sidewalls103,104extend along and define the container depth DCand the container height HC. In one specific embodiment, the length LCis in a range of between 250 mm and 500 mm, the height HCis in a range of between 200 mm and 400 mm, and the depth DCis in a range of between 90 mm and 300 mm. In certain embodiments, a ratio of the length LCto the height HCis greater than or equal to 1.2:1, more preferably in a range of 1.2:1 to 2.5:1, and even more preferably in a range of 1.2:1 to 1.7:1. Furthermore, in certain embodiments a ratio of the length LCto the depth DCis greater than or equal to 1.5:1, more preferably in a range of 1.5:1 to 3.0:1, and even more preferably in a range of 1.7:1 to 2.8:1.

Exemplary length LC, height HCand depth DCmeasurements of various preferred containers configured to contain varying weights of the dispensable product are provided in Table 1 below. Moreover, Table 1 also provides the relevant length LCto height HCratios and length LCto depth DCratios for the containers.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the details of the cavity110of the container100and the materials that form the flexible packaging container1000will be described. The flexible packaging container1000comprises the strap200located within the cavity110. In certain embodiments, the strap200may be a flexible strap such that it is formed of a flexible material as will be described in more detail below. More specifically, the strap200has a first end201affixed or connected to the first sidewall101and a second end202affixed or connected to the second sidewall102. In the exemplified embodiment, the first end201of the strap200is connected to the first sidewall101in the first central region140and the second end202of the strap200is connected to the second sidewall102in the second central region. Thus, when there is product indicia141in the first central region and product indicia143in the second central region, the strap200is connected to the first and second sidewalls101,102in a region that contains the product indicia141,143. It should be noted that in certain alternate embodiments of the invention, a plurality of the straps200can be incorporated into the container100as described herein. In one such embodiment, the plurality of straps200can be arranged in a substantially parallel alignment. In another embodiment, the plurality of straps200can be arranged in a diverging alignment and/or crisscross alignment

The strap200is an elongated strip of material having a width WS. In some embodiments, the strap200may be 12 mm to 105 mm in width and may be formed by an 8-25 micron polyester laminated to a 50-190 micron polyethylene. By virtue of its attachment to the first and second sidewalls101,102, the strap200maintains the flexible packaging container1000in a particular structural formation such that bulging and deformation of the flexible packaging container1000is prevented. Specifically, the strap200maintains the first and second sidewalls101,102spaced from one another at a predetermined distance D between 70 mm to 360 mm, thereby preventing such bulging and/or deformation. In one embodiment, a ratio of the strap width WSto the distance D is greater than 1:2. More specifically, a ratio of the strap width WSto the distance D is in a range of 1:2 to 1:30, and more preferably in a range of 1:4 to 1:10.

In other words, the strap200prevents the first and second sidewalls101,102from bulging such that the predetermined distance D will not increase. Thus, if the flexible packaging container1000without the strap is filled with a dispensing product and an object having a weight is placed on top of the flexible packaging container1000, the dispensing product will push against the first and second sidewalls101,102, thereby creating a bulge. However, the strap200prevents such a bulge by maintaining the predetermined distance D between the first and second sidewalls101,102. The strap200is particularly useful in embodiments that have the product indicia141,143. Specifically, in embodiments that have the product indicia141,143, bulging of the first and second sidewalls101,102will result in a visual distortion of the product indicia141,143. However, because the strap200prevents such bulging of the first and second sidewalls101,102, the product indicia141,143are prevented from distortion. This enhances a consumer's ability to recognize the flexible packaging container1000based on the product indicia141,143. This consumer recognition is further enhanced by the flexible packaging container1000being positioned for display in the manner described above such that the first and second sidewalls101,102having the product indicia141,143thereon are faced towards the consumer.

In the exemplified embodiment, the container100of the flexible packaging container1000is formed of a first flexible film160and the strap200of the flexible packaging container1000is formed of a second flexible film260. In certain embodiments, the first flexible film160is a first plastic film and the second flexible film260is a second plastic film.

In certain embodiments, the first and second flexible films160,260are multi-layer films. In such embodiments, the first flexible film160comprises an inner layer161and an outer layer162. The inner layer161is affixed to the outer layer162such that there is no spacing or gaps between the inner and outer layers161,162. In certain embodiments, the inner layer161is a heat-weldable thermoplastic161, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, in certain embodiments the outer layer162is formed of polyester. Of course, the inner and outer layers161,162can be formed of other materials in alternative embodiments.

Similarly, the second flexible film260comprises an inner layer261and an outer layer262. The inner layer261is affixed to the outer layer262such that there is no spacing or gaps between the inner and outer layers261,262. In certain embodiments, the inner layer261is a heat-weldable thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, in certain embodiments the outer layer262is formed of polyester. Of course, the inner and outer layers161,162can be formed of other materials in alternative embodiments.

In embodiments where the inner layer161of the first flexible film160and the inner layer261of the second flexible film are formed of a heat-weldable thermoplastic, the first end201of the strap200is heat welded to the first sidewall101and the second end202of the strap200is heat welded to the second sidewall102. The inner layer of heat-weldable thermoplastic161of the first flexible film160is in contact with the inner layer of heat-weldable thermoplastic261of the second flexible film, thereby enhancing the connection between the first and second walls101,102and the strap200.

As can be seen inFIG. 6, the product indicia141is affixed to and/or extends outwardly from the outer layer162of the first flexible film160. In some embodiments, the product indicia141can be a print layer that is adhered or otherwise affixed to the outer layer162of the first flexible film160. Alternatively, the product indicia141can be a print that is integrally formed onto or into the outer layer162of the first flexible film160rather than being a separate layer. In such an embodiment, the product indicia141is merely imprinted directly into the outer layer162of the first flexible film160. In other embodiments, the product indicia141can be an embossing or debossing in or extending from the outer layer162of the first flexible film160.

Referring toFIG. 6, it can be seen that the handles134,135are integrally formed with the outer layer162of the first flexible material160. However, the invention is not to be so limited and in other embodiments, particularly where the outer layer162is formed of polyester, the handles134,135may be glued onto the container100by an adhesive. Furthermore, in still other embodiments the handles134,135can be formed of a heat-weldable thermoplastic so that the handles134,135can be heat-welded to the container100in a similar manner to that described above with regard to the strap200.

The invention is not limited to the container100and strap200being formed of the materials described herein in all embodiments. In certain other embodiments, the container100and the strap200can be formed of materials other than polyester and polyethylene. Furthermore, the first flexible film160of the container100and the second flexible film260of the strap200can be a multi-layer film having more than the two layers exemplified, or they can each be a single layer film. In other embodiments, one of the first and second flexible films160,260can be a single layer film while the other is a multi-layer film. In other words, the first and second flexible films160,260are not to be particularly limited and they can be materials other than those described herein. Thus, the first and second films160,260may consist of different layers of plastic and/or metal materials in order to meet different requirements in terms of resistance to humidity, water vapour resistance, aroma density, tensile strength and the like.

While in the exemplified embodiment, only one strap200is connected to the container100as described above, in alternate embodiments, a plurality of the straps200can be connected to and extend between the first and second sidewalls101,102as described above. In one such alternate embodiment, the plurality of straps200may extend between the first and second sidewalls101,102in a spaced-apart arrangement wherein the plurality of straps200are either parallel and/or angled relative to one another.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.