Patent Publication Number: US-9415918-B2

Title: Packaging for consumable products and methods for using same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to packaging. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers for storing consumable products and methods of using same. 
     Packages for consumable products come in a variety of sizes, shapes, materials and designs. Consumable product packages having certain functional features, however, can provide advantages to a user of such packages in addition to possible aesthetic and marketing advantages. The sizes, shapes, materials, designs, and functional features differ, for example, for aesthetic reasons or for reasons related to the products the packaging is intended to house. For example, a flexible package designed to house a solid, consumable bar product would not likely be sufficient to house a sterile gel product. As such, consumable product packaging should be designed for a specific functionality and/or a specific type of food product that the packaging is intended to house. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is related to packages for housing consumable products. The packages may be customized, functional packages that are designed to prevent accidental spillage or leakage of a flowable consumable product housed therein. In a general embodiment, flexible packages are provided. The flexible packages include a body defining a cavity for housing a flowable product and a channel for dispensing the flowable product from the cavity, the channel being blocked by a releasable seal. The seal blocks the channel upon application of light pressure and the seal unblocks the channel upon application of heavy pressure. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure needed to cause the seal to block the channel is the pressure created by a user holding the flexible package. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure needed to cause the seal to block the channel is the pressure created by a user opening the flexible package. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure needed to cause the seal to unblock the channel is the pressure created by a user squeezing the flexible package. 
     In an embodiment, the channel has a closed end. 
     In an embodiment, the body is configured to hold at least one flowable consumable product selected from the group consisting of a gel, liquid, semi-solid, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the gel may be a performance gel. In an embodiment, the flowable consumable product may be a puree. 
     In another embodiment, flexible packages are provided. The flexible packages include a body defining a cavity for housing a liquid product and a channel for dispensing the liquid product from the cavity. The channel has a closed end and a seal in the channel that is constructed and arranged such that the seal prevents a liquid from flowing out of the channel when the flexible package is opened. 
     In an embodiment, the liquid may be a liquid for nutritional supplementation for an athlete. 
     In yet another embodiment, flexible packages are provided. The flexible packages include a body defining a cavity for housing a liquid product and a channel for dispensing the gel product from the cavity. The channel has a closed end and a seal in the channel that is constructed and arranged such that the seal prevents a gel from flowing out of the channel when the flexible package is opened. 
     In yet another embodiment, flexible packages are provided. The flexible packages include a body defining a cavity for housing a liquid product and a channel for dispensing the gel product from the cavity. The channel has a closed end and a seal in the channel that is constructed and arranged such that the seal prevents a performance gel from flowing out of the channel when the flexible package is opened. 
     In an embodiment, the seal begins 1 to 20 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. Alternatively, the seal begins 2 to 3 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the seal is located in either the top third of the channel, the center of the channel, or the bottom third of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the seal has a shape selected from the group consisting of a curve, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, v-shape, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the seal is substantially v-shaped. 
     In an embodiment, the v-shaped seal is comprised of acute angles. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has only one seal. Alternatively, the flexible package has multiple seals. 
     In an embodiment, there is a seal on either side of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has more than one seal and all the seals are the same shape. Alternatively, the seals are different shapes. 
     In an embodiment, the seal blocks the channel by causing the channel to bend. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is centered along the width of the flexible package. Alternatively, the channel is off-center along the width of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is about 8 to 10 millimeters at its widest point. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is 6 to 9 millimeters at its narrowest point. 
     In an embodiment, the length of the channel is about 3 or 3.5 times the width of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the channel has a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, cylindrical, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the channel forms and angle of about 65 degrees between the channel and the body of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has a shape selected from the group consisting of square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hendecagon, dodecagon, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package is a pouch. 
     In an embodiment, the body comprises at least two composite layers sealed together. The at-least two layers may be heat-sealed together. 
     In an embodiment, the body is made of flexible laminate. 
     In yet another embodiment, methods for administering a flowable consumable product to a consumer in need of same are provided. The methods include providing a flexible package having a body defining a cavity for housing a flowable product and a channel for dispensing the flowable product from the cavity, the channel being closed on one end and including a releasable seal inside the channel. The methods further include sealing the channel using the releasable seal by applying light pressure to the flexible package and blocking the flowable consumer product from emerging during opening of the package, and opening the flexible package along the closed end of the channel. The method still further includes applying a stronger pressure to the flexible package to administer the flowable product to the consumer. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure is selected from the group consisting of pressing on the flexible package, squeezing the flexible package, shaking the flexible package, or combinations thereof. 
     In still yet another embodiment, methods for preventing a flowable product from flowing out of a flexible package are provided. The methods include providing a flexible package having a body defining a cavity for housing a flowable product and a channel for dispensing the flowable product from the cavity, the channel being closed on one end and blocked by a releasable seal. The methods further include applying pressure to the package, causing the seal to block the channel and preventing the flowable product from flowing out of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the pressure is administered by either pressing on the flexible package, squeezing the flexible package, shaking the flexible package, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the seal begins 1 to 20 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. Alternatively, the seal begins 2 to 3 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the seal is located in either the top third of the channel, the center of the channel, or the bottom third of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the seal has a shape selected from the group consisting of a curve, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, v-shape, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the seal is substantially v-shaped. 
     In an embodiment, the v-shaped seal is includes acute angles. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has only one seal. Alternatively, the flexible package has multiple seals. 
     In an embodiment, there is a seal on either side of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has more than one seal and all the seals are the same shape. Alternatively, the seals are different shapes. 
     In an embodiment, the channel has a closed portion at one end. 
     In an embodiment, the seal blocks the channel by causing the channel to bend. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is centered along the width of the flexible package. Alternatively, the channel is off-center along the width of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is about 8 to 10 millimeters at its widest point. 
     In an embodiment, the channel is 6 to 9 millimeters at its narrowest point. 
     In an embodiment, the length of the channel is about 3 or 3.5 times the width of the channel. 
     In an embodiment, the channel has a shape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, cylindrical, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the channel forms and angle of about 65 degrees between the channel and the body of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package has a shape selected from the group consisting of square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hendecagon, dodecagon, or combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package is a pouch. 
     In an embodiment, the body comprises at least two composite layers sealed together. The at-least two layers may be heat-sealed together. 
     In an embodiment, the body is made of flexible laminate. 
     In an embodiment, the flexible package is configured to house a flowable product selected from the group consisting of a gel, liquid, semi-liquid, or combinations thereof. The gel may be a performance gel. 
     It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide improved consumable product containers. 
     It is also an advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that prevent accidental spillage or leakage of flowable contents in the container while the package is being opened. 
     It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that prevent accidental spillage or leakage of flowable contents in the container while the product is being consumed. 
     It is a yet another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that are easily handled by consumers for consumption during physical activity. 
     It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide a neat and sanitary method of opening a flexible package containing a consumable gel or liquid. 
     Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a flexible consumable product container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the top of the flexible consumable product container of  FIG. 1  after opening the container. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram demonstrating the seal of the flexible consumable product container of  FIG. 1  after light pressure has been applied to the package, causing the seal to block the channel of the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides packages for housing consumable products. The packages may be custom designed for ease of use by consumers (e.g., athletes) before, during or after physical activity. For example, during vigorous physical activity, athletes desire to maintain appropriate levels of specific nutrients such as carbohydrates and electrolytes for improved or sustained athletic performance or increased mental alertness. It is known to provide such nutrition in, for example, performance bars. Although the performance bars provide individuals with adequate nutrition for prolonged or endurance performance, the individual may not enjoy consuming these types of performance bars. In this regard, the performance compositions may be difficult to consume during exercise or may be too dense or heavy for consumption before or during exercise, or may have a chalky or bland taste. 
     Alternatively, it is also known to provide adequate nutrition for prolonged or endurance performance in the form of gels. Such gels are typically found in flexible, pouch-like packaging and may be easily consumed by the athlete during performance of vigorous activity. In this regard, the only action required by the athlete is to either (i) press the flexible pouch to force the gel into the athlete&#39;s mouth, or (ii) to tip the gel package upside down so that gravity will allow the gel product to flow from the package naturally. However, when opening the package, even a slight pressure causes the gel contents to spill out, creating an inconvenient and unsanitary mess that is not appealing to an athlete attempting to consume a product during performance of vigorous activity. Also, if a less viscous, more liquid-like product were included in the package, simply tipping the package over would likely result in the loss of a large amount, if not all, of the product contained within the package. Thus, a gel package may be provided with an automatically blocking seal adapted to retain the gel in the package during opening and consumption. 
     The packages of the present disclosure provide flexible pouch-like package with automatically blocking releasable seals that prevent accidental spillage of a gel or other flowable consumer product either while the packages are being opened, or during consumption of the product. The consumable products housed by the packages may be any flowable consumable products including, for example, liquids, semi-solids, gels, etc. In an embodiment, the consumable product is a gel product used to support athletic performance. In an embodiment, the consumable product is a fruit and/or vegetable puree product used to support athletic performance. The teachings of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to gel or puree products and may include any products capable of flowing. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the viscosity of the product contained in the present packages or containers may be determined, at least in part, by temperature. For example, a substance at a high temperature may be less viscous, while the same substance at a low temperature may be more viscous. 
     In an embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , a package  10  for storing consumable products is provided. Package  10  includes a body  12  that defines a shape. The shape and size of body  12  is not critical and body  12  may have any size or shape known the skilled artisan. For example, body  12  may be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hendecagon, dodecagon, or three-dimensional versions of any of the previously listed shapes, or combinations thereof. Body  12  is also not limited to a specific size, so long as body  12  is capable of housing a flowable consumable product. 
     Body  12  may be made from materials that are sealable and flexible such as, for example, flexible plastic films. Body  12  may be made of flexible laminate. In an embodiment, body  12  is a flexible pouch, which provides several advantages over rigid containers. For example, the shape of a flexible pouch adapts to available space, pouches are lighter in weight than rigid containers, when emptied of the contents, pouches require less space, when filled with contents, the thickness dimension is small, permitting faster processing times and mitigating heat damage to foods, they are not subject to corrosion or breakage, and they are easier to open by athletes during vigorous physical activity. 
     Body  12  may also be a flexible, composite package. In an embodiment, body  12  is a sealable, flexible, composite package having from about two to about four, or about three layers of substrates. The substrates may include, for example, a flexible plastic film, an impermeable layer, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, body  12  includes an outer polymer layer that is resistant to wear and tear, an inner polymer layer that is resistant to wear and tear and seals well, and a middle aluminum foil layer for eliminating light from the contents as well as for making the pouch material impermeable to gases. The layers may be bonded together with an adhesive. In an embodiment, body  12  is formed from two layers (i.e., single or composite) comprising flexible plastic films that are sealed together. In an embodiment, body  12  has composite layers that are heat-sealed together. 
     Body  12  is so constructed and arranged to house a flowable, consumable product in cavity  14  that includes a channel  16  for dispensing a flowable, consumable product from cavity  14 . The shape of cavity  14  and channel  16  are defined, at least in part, by a sealed portion  18  of body  12 . Sealed portion  18  is formed from a top layer and a bottom layer (i.e., single or composite layers) comprising flexible plastic films that are sealed together to form body  12 . In other words, the shape and size of cavity  14  and channel  16  are determined by the portions of the top layer and the bottom layer that are not sealed together. 
     In an embodiment, sealed portion  18  may be a heat-sealed portion. The sealed portion may be of various widths determined by the other measurements of the package. By providing sealed portion  18  at a sufficient width, package  10  can better withstand common wear and tear that occurs during packaging, shipping and retail display. In this regard, a sufficient width of sealed portion  18  will ensure that package  10  cannot be accidentally torn open, thereby contaminating the consumable product. 
     In an embodiment, cavity  14  has a substantially rectangular shape that is formed from sealed portions  18 . As is also shown in  FIG. 1 , channel  16  and body  12  form an angle pictured as shoulder  20 . In an embodiment, the angle is between  45  and  90  degrees. In another embodiment, the angle is about  65  degrees. The shape of body  12 , shoulder  20 , and channel  16  helps a flowable, consumable product housed in cavity  14  to flow smoothly from cavity  14  toward and into channel  16  to be dispensed from package  10 . 
     In an embodiment, channel  16  has a width  22  and a length  24 . With respect to width  22  of channel  16 , Applicant has surprisingly found that width  22  should be within a range from about 6 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 7 mm to about 9 mm, or about 8 mm. Width  22  may be constant along length  24  of channel  16 , or may vary along length  24 . In an embodiment, width  22  varies from 8 to 10 millimeters at its widest point and 6 to 9 millimeters at is narrowest point along length  24  of channel  16 . In another embodiment, channel  16  has length  24  that is 2 to 4 times the width  22 . In another embodiment, length  24  is 3 to 3.5 times the width  22  of channel  16 . Once flow begins through channel  16 , channel  16  becomes a three-dimensional structure having a radius (not illustrated). 
     The skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions of channel  16  may vary as desired or in accordance with manufacturing specifications or in accordance with the size and shape of the consumable products contained therein. The shape may also vary. In an embodiment, channel  16  is square, rectangular, or cylindrical. 
     Channel  16  may be located wherever is most appropriate to maximize ease of consumption of the flowable product contained in package  10 . In an embodiment, channel  16  is centered along a width of package  10 . In another embodiment, channel  16  is off-centered along a width of package  10 . 
     As mentioned above, placement of channel  16  may slightly change dimensions of channel  16 . For example, channel  16  is centered in  FIG. 1 . If channel  16  is off-center, Applicant believes that there then may be slightly more resistance to flow through channel  16  than if channel  16  were placed in the center of a side of package  10 . Accordingly, a small change in dimensions may be necessary to optimize a length of channel  16 . 
     In an embodiment, package  10  may be provided with a tear line  26  to assist a consumer in easily opening package  10  to release product from channel  16 . Package  10  is opened by removing one end of Channel  16 . This end is closed end  28 . Closed end  28  may be sealed with adhesive, or heat sealed, or otherwise closed in any appropriate matter known to the skilled artisan. In an embodiment, closed end  28  is heat sealed. 
     Tear line  26  may be perforated or scored for easy tearing by the consumer, and may include a pre-torn portion at an edge of tear line  26  to aid in initiating a tear to remove closed end  28 . Removal of closed end  28 , even with assistance of tear line  26 , requires that pressure be exerted on package  10  by the consumer of the flowable consumer product in package  10 . The pressure is the pressure exerted by holding the package and by tearing or otherwise removing closed end  28 . The exertion of even this slight, low pressure will lead to the contents of package  10  leaking out of the package and making an unsanitary mess. Applicant has surprisingly found that leakage of a flowable product from cavity  14  and channel  16  may be prevented without interfering with the consumption of the product by placing releasable seal  30  in channel  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , releasable seal  30  allows a consumer to remove closed end  28  from channel  16 . As illustrated in the Figure, flowable consumable product  32  did not emerge from channel  16  during the opening process. Without being bound to any theory, Applicant believes that releasable seal  30 , upon application of slight, low pressure as is required to hold the package  10  or remove closed end  28 , blocks channel  16  by causing the channel to bend. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as consumable product  32  enters into channel  16  from the slight pressure exerted by the consumer on package  10 , it presses against releasable seal  30 , bending channel  16  inward. In  FIG. 3 , releasable seal  30  is a v-seal. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the seal may be any shape that allows channel  16  to be blocked while package  10  is held and opened, but unblocked when the consumer dispenses flowable product  32 . Releasable seal  30  may be a curve, circle, square, rectangle, triangle, v-shape, etc. In an embodiment, releasable seal  30  is a v-shape comprised of acute angles. 
     Without being held to any theory, Applicant believes that when stronger, heavier pressure is exerted on package  10 , such as the pressure created by squeezing the package to dispense flowable product  32 , releasable seal  30  will unblock the channel. In an embodiment, channel  16  will become unblocked by becoming straight, allowing flowable product  32  to pass through without impediment. 
     A certain amount of force or pressure is required to be applied to the presently claimed packages in order to dispense flowable product  32  from package  10 . A sufficient amount of force may be provided by the consumer by pinching or squeezing package  10  between the fingers of the consumer. Additionally, the force required may depend on the viscosity of the flowable consumable product contained within package  10 , or the temperature of the package containing a flowable consumable product. In this regard, the flowable consumable product may be more liquid at warmer temperatures thereby requiring a lesser force to dispense the product. Alternatively, the flowable consumable product may be more gel-like at colder temperatures thereby requiring a greater force to dispense the product. Regardless, Applicant has surprisingly found that releasable seal  30  allows twice as much pressure to be applied to package  10  without leakage or mess during opening as compared to packages without a releasable seal in the channel. The presence of releasable seal  30  in the channel enhances the consumption experience for an athlete consuming performance gel from package  10  during vigorous activity. 
     The skilled artisan will appreciate that releasable seal  30  may be located in various places along channel  16 . Seal  30  may be located in the top third of the channel, or the bottom third of the channel, or the center of the channel. Depending on the length  24  of channel  16 , releasable seal  30  may be located 1 to 20 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. In an embodiment, releasable seal  30  may be located 2 to 3 millimeters from the bottom of the channel. The precise location of the seal will depend upon the various configurations and dimensions of the rest of package  10 , and, in particular, channel  16 . 
     Releasable seal  30  may be one seal, or multiple seals. If there are multiple seals, the seals may be the same shapes or different shapes. The skilled artisan will appreciate the seals may be aligned across from each other along channel  16  or located in different sections of the channel depending on what arrangement is most efficient to block and unblock channel  16  as needed. In an embodiment, as pictured in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , channel  16  contains two releasable seal  30   s  across from each other on either side of channel  16 . Both seals are v-shaped. 
     As an additional feature, package  10  may include indicia (not illustrated) provided on an exterior of body  12  for marketing purposes. The indicia may include, for example, logos, advertisements, branding information, nutritional information, product information, manufacturer information, etc. The indicia may be printed on a pressure sensitive material, printed directly on package  10 , printed on a removable closure, etc. 
     In sum, the packages of the present disclosure provide improved construction so as to prevent accidental spillage or leakage of a flowable consumable product housed therein while the product is being opened, yet still allowing easy consumption of the product after opening. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.