U.S. patent application number 10/954153 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for flexible package having integrated slit member.
Invention is credited to Steele, Mark.
Application Number | 20050069227 10/954153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34381291 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050069227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steele, Mark |
March 31, 2005 |
Flexible package having integrated slit member
Abstract
A flexible package having front, back, and bottom panel portions
(preferably gusseted). The front and back panel portions each
preferably include longitudinal edges that can be joined together
to create respective side seals. Each of the respective side seals
can include a slit portion having a slit member. The slit member
preferably includes a detachment portion and an anchor portion. The
detachment portion of the slit member is detachable from a portion
of the side seal to provide a tie or a looped handle for use in
tying and/or handling the flexible package. The anchor portion
provides support and reinforcement to prevent complete detachment
of the slit member.
Inventors: |
Steele, Mark; (New Prague,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
34381291 |
Appl. No.: |
10/954153 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60506912 |
Sep 29, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/7 ; 383/104;
383/120; 383/14; 383/62; 383/63; 383/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/065 20130101;
B65D 33/165 20130101; B65D 33/2533 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/007 ;
383/063; 383/014; 383/062; 383/077; 383/104; 383/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flexible package comprising: a plurality of generally flexible
panel portions defining an inner cavity capable of holding material
contents, the plurality of flexible panels comprising: a front
panel portion having first and second generally parallel
longitudinal edge portions; a back panel portion having first and
second generally parallel longitudinal edge portions, the first and
second generally parallel longitudinal edge portions of the front
and back panel portions being joinable to define the inner cavity;
and at least one slit member being provided to at least a portion
of one of the generally parallel longitudinal edge portions, the
slit member having an anchor portion and at least one land portion
such that a portion of the at least one slit member remains
attached to the flexible package at the anchor portion and a
portion of the at least one slit member proximate the at least one
land portion is detachable from the flexible package.
2. The flexible package of claim 1, further including a bottom
panel portion extending between the front and back panel
portions.
3. The flexible package of claim 2, wherein the bottom panel
portion is gusseted to facilitate generally upright standing of the
front and back panel portions.
4. The flexible package of claim 1, further including at least one
re-closeable device disposed to at least the front panel portion to
provide re-closeable access to the cavity.
5. The flexible package of claim 4, wherein the re-closeable device
is a re-closeable zipper device.
6. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one land
is a perforated region in the flexible package.
7. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the generally parallel
longitudinal edges portions are joinable to define at least one
side seal, the at least one slit member being partially provided
with the at least one side seal.
8. The flexible package of claim 4, wherein at least one of the
anchor portions is shaped to facilitate reinforcement of the slit
member with the at least one of the longitudinal edge portions.
9. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit
member includes at least one aperture extending therethrough to
facilitate handling of the flexible package.
10. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit
member is provided along at least a portion of the longitudinal
edge portions and a bottom edge portion of at least one of the
front and back panel portions to form a generally looped handle
portion.
11. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one slit
member is provided on at least a portion of the longitudinal edge
portions and a top edge portion of at least one of the front and
back panel portions to form a generally looped handle portion.
12. A flexible package comprising: at least one web material
formable to define an inner cavity capable of holding material
contents, wherein the at least one web material comprises: a front
panel portion; a back panel portion, wherein the front and the back
panel portions are joined together to define at least two generally
parallel longitudinal side seals, wherein at least the front panel
portion has an access opening to facilitate access to the cavity;
and at least one slit portion being formed along at least a portion
of one of the side seals to provide at least one slit member, the
slit member having an anchor portion and at least one land portion
such that a portion of the at least one slit member remains
attached to the flexible package at the anchor portion and a
portion of the at least one slit member proximate the at least one
land portion is detachable from the flexible package.
13. The flexible package of claim 12, further including a bottom
panel portion extending between the front and back panel
portions.
14. The flexible package of claim, 13, wherein the bottom panel
portion is gusseted to facilitate generally upright standing of the
front and back panel portions.
15. The flexible package of claim 13, wherein the bottom panel
portion and at least one of the front and back panel portions form
a bottom edge portion, wherein the at least one slit member is
provided with the at least two side seals and the bottom seal to
define a looped handle portion.
16. The flexible package of claim 12, further including at least
one re-closeable device disposed about the access opening to
provide re-closeable access to the cavity.
17. The flexible package of claim 16, wherein the re-closeable
device is a re-closeable zipper device.
18. The flexible package of claim 12, wherein the at least one land
is a perforated region in the flexible package.
19. The flexible package of claim 12, wherein the at least one land
is one member in communication with the at least one slit member
and at least one of the side seals to facilitates detachment of a
portion of the at least one slit member from the flexible
package.
20. The flexible package of claim 12, wherein the at least one
anchor portion is shaped to facilitate reinforcement of the at
least one slit member to at least one of the side seals.
21. The flexible package of claim 12, further including a
reinforcement member provided with the at least one anchor portion
to facilitate reinforcement of the at least one slit member to at
least one of the side seals.
22. The flexible package of claim 12, wherein the at least one slit
member includes at least one aperture extending therethrough to
facilitate handling of the flexible package.
23. The flexible package of claim 12, wherein the at least one slit
member is provided on at least a portion of the two side seals and
a top edge portion of at least one of the front and back panel
portions to form a generally looped handle portion.
24. The flexible package of claim 12, further including at least
two generally parallel side panel portions extending between the
front and back panel portions.
25. The flexible package of claim 24, wherein the at least two side
panel portions are gusseted.
26. A method of forming a flexible package with at least one
integrated slit member member, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a roll of flexible front panel web material to a package
forming machine, wherein the front panel web material includes at
least two generally parallel longitudinal edges, and at least one
bottom edge disposed generally transverse to the at least two
generally parallel longitudinal edges, wherein the at least two
generally parallel longitudinal edges include a sealant surface
portion; providing a roll of flexible back panel web material to a
package forming machine, wherein the back panel web material
includes at least two generally parallel longitudinal edge
portions, and at least one bottom edge portion disposed generally
transverse to the at least two generally parallel longitudinal edge
portions, wherein the at least two generally parallel longitudinal
edge portions include a sealant surface portion; feeding the
flexible front and back panel web material into and through the
package forming machine along a machining path into an alignment
station of the package forming machine for alignment such that the
sealant surface portions of the generally parallel longitudinal
edge portions of the front and back panel web material are
generally confronting; joining the at least one bottom edge portion
of the front and back panel web material by feeding the front and
back panel web material through at least one first seal station of
the package forming machine, wherein the joined bottom edge
portions defines at least one bottom seal; joining the generally
parallel longitudinal edge portions of the front and back panel web
material by feeding the front and back panel web material through
at least one side seal station, wherein the joined generally
parallel longitudinal edge portions define at least two side seals;
and forming at least one slit member by feeding the front and back
panel web material into a die-cut station, wherein the die-cut
station perforates at least a portion of at least one of the two
side seals to define the at least one slit member member, and
wherein at least one anchor portion secures the at least one slit
member to at least one of the front and back panels.
27. The method of claim 26, further including the steps of: feeding
a roll of flexible bottom back panel web material into the package
forming machine; feeding the bottom panel web material into an
aligning station, wherein the bottom panel web material is aligned
at an end portion of the front and back panel web material; and
joining the bottom panel web material to the end portions of the
front and back panel web material.
28. The method of claim 27, further including the step of gusseting
the bottom panel web material.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of providing a roll of
flexible front panel web material includes providing a roll of
flexible front panel web material with a generally integral
re-closeable device to facilitate access to an inner cavity of the
formed package.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of forming at least
one slit member includes perforating a portion of the two side
seals to define at least two slit members.
31. The method of claim 26, further including the step of joining
corresponding top edges of the front and back panel web material to
define a top seal and perforating at least a portion of the top
seal and at least a portion of the two side seals to define a
handle portion having a general loop shape.
32. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of forming the at
least one slit member further includes the step of forming at least
one land region extending between the at least one slit member and
the corresponding side seal.
33. The method of claim 31, further including the step of removing
at least a portion of the top seal to gain access into an inner
cavity of the formed package.
34. The method of claim 26, further including the step of forming
an aperture in the at least one slit member to facilitate handling
of the formed flexible package.
35. A flexible package capable of holding material contents, the
flexible package comprising: a plurality of flexible web material
portions including at least a front panel portion and a back panel
portion defining an inner cavity, wherein each of the front and the
back panel portions include generally parallel longitudinal edge
portions; and at least one slit member provided along at least a
portion of at least one of the generally parallel longitudinal edge
portions and a top edge portion of at least one of the front and
back panel portion, the at least one slit member defined by at
least a portion of a perforated region, wherein the perforated
region is removable to define a handle for the flexible
package.
36. The flexible package of claim 35, further including a
re-closable device being disposed to one of the plurality of web
material portions to provide re-closeable access to the inner
cavity.
Description
Related Applications
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 60/506,912 filed Sep. 29, 2003, entitled,
"FLEXIBLE PACKAGE HAVING INTEGRATED SLIT", which is fully
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible
packaging and, more particularly, to flexible packaging having at
least one slit member formed and integrated therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional flexible packages generally include integrated
closeable devices, sliding means, or other devices designed to
allow a user to selectively gain access into the pouch or package.
Other simpler packages can come with external, non-integrated,
twist ties and other tying means. In use, an end user must pinch or
compress an open-end portion of the applicable package such that a
twist tie is wrapped around the pinched area to provide selective
closure.
[0004] Such simplistic tying techniques lack meaningful application
in storage and handling of materials such as food, liquid, and the
like. In addition, durability and efficiency is lacking as twist
ties can become undesirably detached and lost. Further, unattached
and distinct twist ties are often stored remote from the flexible
packages thus imposing potential inconveniences on the user.
Traditional twist ties are also often too short to accommodate
storage and handling functions. Traditional twist ties and
techniques lack flexibility for use as handles.
[0005] As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that
substantially solves the above-referenced problems with
conventional package designs, configurations, and manufacturing
methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves many of the problems that
plague conventional flexible packages and packaging methods.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a package
generally including at least one slit, tie and/or handle member
formed or integrated therein. The flexible package can include
front and back panels. Further, a bottom panel can be included. Any
of the panels can be gusseted or otherwise formed with the
processes and techniques known to one skilled in the art.
[0007] In one embodiment, the package of the present invention
includes a front panel, a back panel, and a bottom panel
(preferably gusseted). The front and back panels can be sealed
together at longitudinal edges of the same front and back panels to
create respective side seals. Each of the side seals for the front
and back panels can include a slit portion having a slit member or
a slit member may be disposed generally adjacent to each of the
side seals. The slit member can follow or extend along at least a
portion of the longitudinal length of the side seals to define a
detachment portion and an anchor portion. In use, the detachment
portion of the slit member is detachable from the side seal to
provide a tie for use in handling and tying the flexible package.
The anchor portion of the slit member provides support and
reinforcement such that employment of the slit member will be
limited to the released detachment portion. As such, complete
removal of the at least one slit member from the longitudinal
edge(s) is limited up to the anchor portion. However, alternative
embodiments can provide means of providing complete detachment of
the slit member at or proximate the anchor portion to allow
complete removal for use in tying the opening of the package. As
such, a temporary slit member would be attached or integrated with
the package until use. The slit member of the present invention can
be utilized to selectively re-usably close or pinch off the
flexible package opening. In addition, the slit member or slits can
be utilized for hanging of the package for use, filling, and
handling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated slit members.
[0009] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having integrated slit members.
[0010] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having integrated and detached slit members.
[0011] FIG. 1c is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having an integrated loop handle slit with a top
access device.
[0012] FIG. 1d is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having an integrated and detached single loop
handle slit with a top access device.
[0013] FIG. 1e is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having integrated and detached slit members tied
off to contain an object therein.
[0014] FIG. 1f is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having a cut out portion for forming an integrated
and detached single loop handle.
[0015] FIG. 1g is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having an integrated and detached single loop
handle.
[0016] FIG. 1h is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having front and back panel portions spaced
generally apart for joinder.
[0017] FIG. 1i is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having an integrated loop handle slit member
formed on a seal portion. Crosshatching is provided for generally
indicating the seal portions.
[0018] FIG. 1j is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
flexible package having an integrated and detached single loop
handle slit member formed on a seal portion. Crosshatching is
provided for generally indicating the seal portions.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members having a length
generally less than a total length of the flexible package.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated slit members having a length generally
equal to a length of the flexible package.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members having a length
generally equal to a length of the flexible package.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated slit members and a bottom seal
portion.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members and a bottom
seal portion.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated slit members with a transverse access
device and/or reinforcement strip.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members with a
transverse access device and/or reinforcement strip.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a front view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members with at least
one hanging aperture therethrough.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a side view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a top view of one embodiment of a flexible
package having integrated and detached slit members.
[0029] FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of the feed, alignment, and
folding stations for a method of manufacturing or forming a
flexible package having integrated and detachable slit members.
[0030] FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of the first seal, side seal,
cooling, die-cut, and cut-off stations for a method of
manufacturing or forming a flexible package having integrated and
detachable slit members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a flexible package 10 in accordance
with the present invention is shown. The package 10 generally
includes a front panel portion 12, a back panel portion 14 and at
least one slit portion 30. Further, a bottom panel portion 15,
gusseted or non-gusseted, can be included, especially in those
embodiments defining a stand up package. The joining and/or shaping
of the panel portions 12, 14, 15, generally define an inner cavity
19 having an adjustable internal volumetric capacity. The panel
portions 12-15 are often referred to as "webs."
[0032] The package panel portions 12-15 are generally constructed
of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal
foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes laminated with other
materials such as nylon, polyester, and other materials known to
one skilled in the art. To provide for higher barriers, embodiments
can use combination layers or laminates of said materials, and
material of the like. Generally, in such embodiments, a material
having preferred sealing characteristics can be joined or bonded to
a material having a different preferred characteristic (i.e.,
beneficial oxygen barrier properties). Preferably, the package of
the present invention is to be formed into a stand-up pouch, but it
could be a pouch that displays lying down, or in other package and
pouch shapes and configurations known to one skilled in the
art.
[0033] In one embodiment the front panel portion 12 and the back
panel portion 14 will be formed of one contiguous web material. In
alternative embodiments, at least one of the panel portions 12-15
can be distinct web materials joined or sealed to other respective
panel portions to form the package 10 of the present invention. For
instance, the front panel portion 12 and the back panel portion 14
can be joined to each other from distinct non-contiguous web sheets
of material, and one of the panel portions 12-14 can further extend
to define the bottom panel portion 15. The bottom panel portion 15
in the various configurations forming a stand up pouch can include
a gusset known to those skilled in the art to further promote
operative expansion and contraction of the package 10 and its
respective capacity in accordance with the receipt and removal of
material within the package 10.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 1h, the front panel portion 12 generally
includes a first front longitudinal edge 20 and a second front
longitudinal edge 22. Both of the panel edges 20, 22 are
substantially parallel to each other and extend generally along the
longitudinal length of the front panel portion 12. Likewise, the
back panel portion 14 can include a first back longitudinal edge 24
and a second back longitudinal edge 26, also substantially parallel
to each other and spanning the longitudinal length of the back
panel portion 14.
[0035] In one embodiment, the first front longitudinal edge 20 can
be sealably joined to the first back longitudinal edge 24 along the
length of the edges 20, 24 to form a first side seal 16. Similarly,
the second front longitudinal edge 22 can be sealably joined to the
second back longitudinal edge 26 along the length of edges 22, 26
to form a second side seal 18. These side seals 16, 18 generally
define the side boundaries of the package 10 and can be sealably
joined using heat, adhesive, and other bonding techniques known to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0036] Each of the side seals 16, 18 define the material comprising
the slit portions 30, 40 of the present invention. As illustrated
in FIGS. 1, 1b-c, le, and 2-10 generally, the first side seal 16
can include a first slit portion 30 and the second side seal 18 can
include a second slit portion 40. As described herein, the slit
portions 30, 40 are defined by cutting, perforating, or otherwise
shaping or forming a portion of the side seals 16, 18, or the
material proximate the side seals or edges to include detachable
slit members in accordance with the present invention. The first
slit portion 30 can generally include a first slit member 32 having
a detachment portion 34 tethered to the first and/or second side
seals 16, 18 by an anchor portion 36. Likewise, the second slit
portion 40 can generally include a second slit member 42 having a
detachment portion 44 and an anchor portion 46. The slit portions
30, 40 can extend along substantially the entire longitudinal
length of the side seals 16, 18, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, or along a
length short of the entire longitudinal length of the side seals
16, 18, such as those embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, and 5-6.
Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, each of the detachment portions
34, 44 can include at least one hanging/handling aperture 35, 45 to
facilitate hanging of the package 10 by the slit members 32,
44.
[0037] The slit members 32, 42 can be formed from the side seals
16, 18 utilizing die-cutting and other techniques known to one of
ordinary skill in the art. Regardless, the slit members 32, 42 are
adapted to add tying, hanging and/or handling functionality to the
package 10. The detachment portions 34, 44 are selectively
detachable from the side seals 16, 18 up to a termination point at
the respective anchor portions 36, 46. The anchor portions 36, 46
can be reinforced or formed in a predefined shape to increase
strength and durability of the slit members 32, 43 during use. For
instance, in one embodiment, the anchor portions 36, 46 are formed
in an arcuate or spiral shape to reinforce the slit members 32, 42
and limit complete detachment of the slit members 32, 42 during
operational tugging or hanging of the slit members, as shown in
FIGS. 1-6. In another embodiment, an additional reinforcement
material 13 can be placed or bonded to the anchor portions 36, 46
to limit undesirable detachment from operational forces on the slit
members 32, 42. The reinforcement material 13 can be applied with a
continuous strip, relatively small and targeted patch portions of
material, and like applications to protect and reinforce the anchor
portions 36, 46.
[0038] In yet another embodiment, a re-closeable access device 50
can be integrated or attached to the panels 12, 14 in substantial
alignment with the anchor portions 36, 46, as best shown in FIGS.
7-8. As such, the ends of the access device 50 can be crushed
and/or joined at its end region to the anchor portions 36, 46 to
increase the material thickness and durability to substantially
eliminate tearing of the slit members 32, 42 away from the side
seals 16, 18 as a result of operational forces. U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,909,017, 5,972,396, 5,461,845, 5,672,009, 5,782,733, 5,902,047,
5,954,433, and 6,177,172 are directed to some exemplary
re-closeable devices, and other features and techniques for
flexible packaging, and are therefore incorporated herein by
reference.
[0039] In addition to the incorporated access devices, known zipper
devices for providing selective access in through the top of the
package 10 are also envisioned for use with the present invention,
as shown in FIG. 1a-1b. Conventional "peel seals" known to one
skilled in the art can also be implemented in conjunction with
access devices 50. Furthermore, any other known package access
devices (e.g., spouts, tear slits, adhesives, etc.) can be used as
well without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The anchor reinforcement 13, alternatively can include
external devices or reinforcement techniques. For instance,
reinforcement clips, rivets, button devices, metal or plastic
members, and like devices proximate or joined to the anchor
portions 36, 46 on the outside of the package 10 can limit tearing
of the package 10 at the anchor portion 36, 46 during operation and
strain. In addition, a hole could be punched in a portion of the
anchor portions 36, 46 to provide a breaking point for any line or
tear on the anchor portions 36, 46, from the slit members 32, 42,
during use. Yet another embodiment can simply include additional
heat bonding to the package material at a target point on or around
the anchor portions 36, 46 to further reinforce the bond and limit
tearing during operation.
[0040] Further, the length of the slit portions 30, 40 defining the
length of the slit members 32, 42 can include at least one
perforations and/or designated land regions 33 (FIG. 1) at
predefined locations along a length of the side seals 16, 18 to
further increase usability. For instance, it may be desirable to
limit detachment of the slit members 32, 42 away from the
respective side seals 16, 18 until the actual time of use. A
plurality of perforations, land regions 33, and/or tabs along at
least a limited portion of the slit members 32, 42 provide
temporary connectivity. The detachment portions 34, 44 of the slit
members 32, 42 remain attached to the side seals 16, 18 at these
perforations, land regions or tabs until the time of use. At the
time of use, the user simply applies a measurable level of pulling
force on the detachment portions 34, 44 to disengage or tear the
slit members 32, 42 from the side seals 16, 18 at the perforations
or land regions, up to the point of the anchor portions 36, 46. As
such, entanglement or tearing of the slit members 32, 42 is
substantially eliminated during formation of the package, shipping,
and the like.
[0041] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1c-1d, the package 10 of the
present invention is shown with a single loop slit member/handle
48. With such a package 10, the slit portions generally include the
first slit portion 30, the second slit portion 40, and a bottom
slit portion 41. Alternatively, the bottom slit portion 41 can be
incorporated into the top or other end of the package 10 to create
a handle at the top of the package rather than the bottom, as
further described below. The slit member/handle 48 can serve as a
single loop handle 48, and/or it can be subsequently torn, cut, or
otherwise disjoined somewhere along its length to provide the two
slit members 32, 42 of other embodiments. The bottom slit portion
41 is formed in the bottom portion of the package 10 along a bottom
seal 43 of the package 10. The bottom seal 43 is generally
proximate the bottom panel portion 15. The bottom slit portion 41
is in material communication with the other slit portions 30, 40 to
enable the single slit member/handle 48 cutout beginning at the
anchor portion 36 for the first slit portion 30, extending to the
bottom slit portion 41, and on to termination at the anchor portion
46 of the second slit portion 40. The single loop slit
member/handle 48 provides an integrated unitary handle, rather than
the two distinct slit members 32, 42 of other embodiments. This
handle can facilitate pouring, handling, storage, filling, and the
like. The die cutting of the slit portions 30, 40, and 41 during
formation of the package creates a continuous unitary handle 48
integrated into the package. In alternative embodiments, the two
distinct slit members 32, 42 can be tied together at their detached
end portions to form a single loop slit member/handle 48.
[0042] An alternative embodiment of the loop slit member/handle 48
package is shown in FIGS. 1f-1g and 1i-1j. In such an embodiment a
loop handle 48 is cut into a top portion of the package 10
(proximate the opening), rather than the bottom seal 43 disclosed
above. This embodiment can be implemented in stand up pouches, lay
down pouches, side fill pouches, and a myriad of other package
configurations known to one skilled in the art. The package 10 of
FIGS. 1f-1g and 1i-1j generally includes a top seal 92, a die cut
line or perforation 94, a handle portion 96, a tear notch 98, and a
cut out portion 100. The manufacturing process for the package 10
formation will include, at the die cut section, a cut or
perforation generally as depicted with cut 94 in FIG. 1f. Upon
initiation of the cut 98, a portion of the top seal 92 below the
cut 94 defines the cut out or removable portion 100. As such, the
handle portion 96, 48 is livably hingeable to expose the cut out
portion 100. The removable cut out portion 100 is defined from the
cut line 94 down to the package top/boundary 102. To remove this
excess cut out portion 100, the at least one tear notch 98 can be
implemented as known to one skilled in the art to rip away the
material laterally across to a correspondingly aligned second tear
notch 98. Alternatively, perforations, plurality of holes or tears,
or other known means and techniques could be implemented to
facilitate tearing away of the cut out portion 100. Once the cut
out portion 100 has been removed, the handle loop 96, 48 is
accessible by the user for transportation, hanging, pouring, and
the like, as shown in FIG. 1g. Such varied loop embodiments can be
implemented along any of the sides or end portions (bottom and top)
of the package 10 without deviating from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Again, the handle 96, 48 can be torn, cut or
otherwise disjoined during or after use to provide the two slits
32, 42 described in various other embodiments, and other regions of
the package; and the handle and cut out portion 100 can be
implemented to other portions of the package 10, such as the bottom
portion depicted and described hereinabove.
[0043] The slit members 32, 42 can be utilized by the end user to
tie off or closeably cinch an access opening of the package 10
proximate the anchor portions 36, 46. In those embodiments having
two slit members 32, 42, the ends of the detachment portions 34, 44
can be tied together to close off an access or opening in the
package 10. FIG. 1e shows such an embodiment wherein the slit
members 32, 42 are tied off and utilized to contain a bottle, e.g.,
a champagne bottle, within the package 10. In addition, handling of
the package can be directed to the slits 32, 42 as well. In those
embodiments having the at least one hanging aperture 35, 45 in one
or more of the detachment portions 34, 44, the package 10 can be
hung for storage, filling, and the like.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 12-13, the manufacturing process for the
present invention generally includes forming the package 10 by
aligning the front panel portion 12 and back panel portion 14 in a
machining process such as those known in the art for pouch
machines, form, fill and seal machines ("FFS"), and the like. In
addition, a bottom panel portion 15, and/or two side gusseted panel
portions, can be included to form known packages such as those
utilized for stand up and other pouch configurations. This
formation process generally comprises a roller feed station 60, a
gusseting/folding station 62, an alignment station 64, a first seal
station 66, a side seal station 68, a cooling station 70, and a
die-cut station 72. The formation process can further include a
cut-off station 74. Each of the base steps in forming the package
10 of the present invention can be performed by known pouch
machines, FFS machines, and like machines known to one skilled in
the art for forming pouches and/or forming and filling pouches in
the confines of the same manufacturing process.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 12, at the roller feed station 60, a front
panel web roll 80, a back panel web roll 82, and a bottom panel web
roll 84 are each individually positioned and fed along a general
web direction using rollers, brackets, guides, and other techniques
and mechanisms known to one skilled in the art for forming flexible
packages. The sealant surface of the front panel web roll 80 is
typically facing inward toward the alignable back panel web roll
82. Prior to final alignment of the web rolls 80-84 before bondable
sealing, the bottom web roll 84 can be gusseted at the gusseting
station 62 using techniques, mechanisms and methods known to one
skilled in the art. For instance, a v-bracket can be inserted along
an intermediate portion of the bottom web roll 84 as it is being
fed through the process such that a gusset fold forms gusseted web
roll 84 to define what will be bottom gusseted panel 15 for each of
the packages 10. The brackets and/or other machine components
depicted in the referenced figures are for demonstrative purposes
and are not intended to limit the angular positioning, shape,
placement and/or display attributes of the components in forming
the present invention. In addition, the reinforcement material 13
and/or 50 described herein to increase strength and resistance to
pull and operations forces on the anchor portions 36, 46 can be
aligned and feed into the web direction intermediate the web rolls
80-82, as shown in FIG. 12. The reinforcement material 13, 50 can
be aligned proximate an end portion of the web rolls 80-82. For
instance, in those embodiments formed to define a stand up pouch
configuration, the material 13, 50 is generally aligned proximate
the package end distal the bottom panel portion 15 to contact and
reinforce predefined locations on the side seals 16, 18 designated
for termination of the anchor portions 36, 46.
[0046] Referring primarily to FIG. 13, the aligned web rolls 80-84
are generally positioned or laid upon each other and fed into the
first seal station 66. At this station, seals running along the
line of the web direction but transverse to the longitudinal
orientation of the final package 10 can be employed. Specifically,
a first seal bar 67a can be employed to seal the reinforcement
material 13 or transverse access device 50 to the respective web
roll 80, 82 and a second seal bar 67b can be employed to seal the
bottom web 84, gusseted or non-gusseted. With those embodiments
including a transverse access device 50, this first seal station 66
can crush the ends of the access device 50 on the region of the
package 10 defining the anchor portions 36, 46 to provide the
reinforcement described herein. Following these seals at the first
seal station 66, the now partially sealed webs continue along the
web direction to the side seal station 68. The side seal station 68
can include at least one side seal bar 69, and preferably two side
seal bars, positioned and adapted to contact the outer portion of
the webs to seal the first longitudinal edges 20, 24 together, and
likewise the second longitudinal edges 22, 26 together. A seal bar
can be implemented at this stage to selectively seal along the
package to form the first side seal 16 and the second side seal 18.
Following the sealing at the side seal station 68, the boundaries
and seals for the package 10 are substantially defined for each
contiguous package 10 passing along the web path of the
machine.
[0047] As the now forming package 10 leaves the side seal station
68 along the web path of the machine, each package 10 can enter a
cooling station 70. The cooling station 70 can include at least one
cooling bar 71 which is applied along the various seals, i.e., the
seals created at the side seal station 68, to lower the web
material temperature to further promote and stabilize the bonds
created. Once the cooling bars 71 have performed the cooling
functions upon application, each package 10, still contiguously
linked with adjacent package 10, can be configured to have the at
least one slit portion 30, and preferably both the first slit
portion 30 and the second slit portion 40, or the loop 48.
[0048] While various perforation, cutting, and like apparatus can
be employed, at least one embodiment will utilize a steel-rule die
72 at the die cut station 73 to cut out or define the slit portions
30, 40 from at least a portion of the respective side seals 16, 18.
As such, at least a portion of the slit members 32, 42 will be
detached from the seals 16, 18 at the detachment portions 34, 44.
Again, the cut at the die cut station 73 can initiate a cut for the
slit members 32, 42 that avoids complete detachment until tearing
or actuation by the end user is later initiated along perforations,
land regions, and the like. Other cutting, slicing, and a myriad of
various mechanisms and techniques known to one skilled in the art
can be employed at the die cut station 73 for forming and defining
the slit portions 30, 40 and their respective component
structures.
[0049] Separation of the distinct package 10 generally occurs at
the cut-off station 74. The cut-off station 74 can include a
cutting device such as a guillotine, blade or other known mechanism
that can trim the edges of the package 10 and cut the end package
10 from the adjacently joined package 10. Other trimming devices
and mechanisms can further be employed to trim the various edges of
the package 10.
[0050] With this manufactured product, a package having at least
one integrated slit member is created. Various handles, graphics,
closeable and re-closeable devices, gusseted portions, and like
features known to one skilled in the art are also envisioned for
use with this invention and can be implemented without deviating
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All references
to front, back, bottom, and the like are merely for demonstrative
purposes and are not intended to limit the variations and
positional references and orientations of the panels in the present
invention.
[0051] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes
thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment
be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
Similarly, the above-described methods and techniques for
manufacturing the present invention are illustrative sequential
processes and are not intended to limit the methods of
manufacturing the present invention to those specifically defined
herein. It is envisioned that various depicted steps can be
performed in differing substantive and sequential order. In
addition, various unspecified steps and procedures can be performed
in between those steps described herein without deviating from the
spirit and scope of the present invention and the method of
manufacturing the same.
* * * * *