U.S. patent application number 10/167916 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for pouch multipackage.
Invention is credited to Craig Arends, Leslie S. Marco, Jason R. Moreau, Edward J. Slomski, Donald L. Van Erden.
Application Number | 20060029298 10/167916 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35757472 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060029298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arends; Craig ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Pouch multipackage
Abstract
A package for unitizing at least two pouches includes a flexible
multipack header positioned between the pouches and adhered along a
top portion of the pouches. Attachment areas for the pouches may be
positioned along an outer surface of the multipack header, an inner
surface of the multipack header, folding tabs and/or panels of the
multipack header and/or along two sides of a triangular
cross-section formed by the multipack header.
Inventors: |
Arends; Craig; (Elgin,
IL) ; Slomski; Edward J.; (Crystal Lake, IL) ;
Marco; Leslie S.; (Bloomingdale, IL) ; Van Erden;
Donald L.; (Wildwood, IL) ; Moreau; Jason R.;
(Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark W. Croll;Illinois Tool Works Inc.
3600 West Lake Avenue
Glenview
IL
60025
US
|
Family ID: |
35757472 |
Appl. No.: |
10/167916 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/37 ; 294/137;
294/149; 383/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/06 20130101;
B65D 33/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/037 ;
383/006; 294/137; 294/149 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/00 20060101
B65D030/00; B65D 33/06 20060101 B65D033/06; A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A unitized package comprising: at least two pouches arranged in
an array, each pouch comprising two flexible sides terminating at a
seal across a top portion, the seal formed between inner walls of
the two sides; a multipack header connecting the at least two
pouches and adhered along the top portion of the at least two
pouches.
2. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches
are connected to the multipack header along a planar attachment
area of the multipack header.
3. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header
further comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top
portion of the multipack header; a seal positioned below the
gripping aperture; and two planar attachment areas extending from
the seal in different planes from the top portion of the multipack
header, wherein each planar attachment area is attached to at least
one pouch.
4. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header
comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top portion of
the multipack header; and a spacer positioned along a bottom
portion of the multipack header, the spacer creating separation
between the at least two pouches.
5. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header
comprises a folded triangular cross-section wherein at least one
pouch is positioned along two sides of the folded triangular
cross-section.
6. The unitized package of claim 5 wherein the multipack header
further comprises: one or more connection apertures positioned in
the multipack header; and one or more connection tabs positioned in
the multipack header, the connection tabs mateable with the
connection apertures.
7. The unitized package of claim 5 further comprising: a gripping
aperture positioned along one side of the multipack header; and one
or more connection tabs positioned along an opposite side of the
multipack header, the connection tabs for forming the folded
triangular cross-section.
8. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches
are heat sealed to the multipack header.
9. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the at least two pouches
are glued to the multipack header.
10. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header
further comprises: a gripping aperture positioned along a top
portion of the multipack header; one or more slits forming two or
more folding tabs, the folding tabs extendable in separate planes
from the top portion of the multipack header.
11. The unitized package of claim 1 wherein the multipack header
further comprises: one or more gripping apertures positioned within
the multipack header; one or more folding panels positioned within
the multipack header, the one or more folding panels forming an
attachment area for each pouch.
12. The unitized package of claim 11 wherein the one or more
folding panels are three sided and formed from within a central
portion of the multipack header.
13. The unitized package of claim 12 wherein an additional
attachment area for an additional pouch is formed along a periphery
of the multipack header.
14. A unitized package comprising: a flexible multipack header
having a top portion and at least two attachment areas each
extending in separate planes from the top portion; and at least one
pouch having two generally parallel sides extending toward an upper
end adhered to each attachment area.
15. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein each attachment area
is positioned along an outside of the unitized package.
16. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein each attachment area
is positioned along an inside of the unitized package.
17. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein a plurality of pouches
are adhered to each attachment area.
18. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the at least two
attachment areas comprise two sides of a triangular
cross-section.
19. The unitized package of claim 18 wherein the two attachment
areas are mated immediately below a gripping aperture.
20. The unitized package of claim 19 further comprising a spacer
positioned between the two attachment areas to complete the
triangular cross-section.
21. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the pouches are
attached at different elevations relative to the top portion of the
flexible multipack header.
22. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the flexible multipack
header includes a plurality of folding tabs extending along a
bottom of the flexible multipack header, each folding tab of the
plurality of folding tabs including at least one attachment area
and extending in a different plane relative to the top portion of
the flexible multipack header.
23. The unitized package of claim 14 wherein the at least two
attachment areas are formed on one or more folding panels
positioned within an interior of the flexible multipack header.
24. A unitized package comprising: two or more pouches, each pouch
including two generally parallel sides sealed along each side and
along a top; and a multipack header positioned between the two or
more pouches and adhered to the top of each pouch so that each
pouch is separately removable from the multipack header.
25. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the arrangement of the
two or more pouches and the multipack header results in a
self-supporting package.
26. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein each pouch is
positioned along an attachment area extending in a different plane
from a top portion of the multipack header.
27. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the multipack header
comprises a triangular cross-section.
28. The unitized package of claim 24 wherein the multipack header
comprises two or more folding tabs that form one or more attachment
areas for attaching the top of each pouch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a multipack header for unitizing
at least two pouches into a convenient package and a multipackage
made therewith.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Pouches are commonly used to package and market products
such as noodles, juice, coffee and pet food. Such pouches are
generally constructed of moisture resistant, flexible material and
often are displayed to consumers in bins, shelves or hung on peg
hooks. Pouches of this sort are generally sold individually or in
multipackages unitized in paperboard or cardboard tertiary boxes.
Individual pouches are often difficult to display and manage and
existing pouch multipackages often do not give the consumer direct
visual feedback of what is bundled within the box.
[0005] One solution in the prior art to bundling multiple packages
has been a double pouch or "saddle bag" wherein two pouches are
sealed to each other across one edge for subsequent sale. Such
double pouches increase the volume of product sold but are
typically limited to only two pouches per package and generally
result in awkward display and carrying.
[0006] Therefore, there exists a need for a unitized multipackage
of conventional pouches that presents the pouch in an appealing
manner, is convenient to manage, display and carry and is efficient
to produce and discard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is one object of this invention to unitize two or more
individual pouches into an efficient multipackage that is easily
displayed and carried.
[0008] It is another object of this invention to utilize a
multipack header to unitize a group of pouches.
[0009] It is another object of this invention to stabilize an
inherently unstable group of individual pouches using a multipack
header adhered to a top portion of each individual pouch.
[0010] It is another object of this invention to create promotional
area within a group of individual pouches using a multipack
header.
[0011] A "package" according to this invention preferably includes
at least two pouches and a multipack header positioned and adhered
along a top portion of the pouches. The multipack header is formed
from a generally planar and flexible sheet of low density
polyethylene and is punched into a preferred configuration, such as
described below. Particularly, the multipack header is formed to
include a gripping aperture and one or more generally planar
attachment areas. The gripping aperture receives at least a portion
of one or more fingers or a hand of a consumer and is used to carry
the unitized package. The attachment areas are sized and positioned
to facilitate attachment of two or more pouches by, for example,
adhesive.
[0012] According to one preferred embodiment of the multipack
header and package, a single planar sheet of plastic forms the
multipack header and includes the gripping aperture positioned
along a top portion of the multipack header and attachment areas
extending along each side of a lower portion of the multipack
header. The pouches are then adhered to each side of the multipack
header along an outer surface and/or inner surface.
[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the multipack
header and package, the multipack header comprises at least two
generally planar attachment areas extending in different planes
from the top portion of the multipack header having at least one
pouch attached to each attachment area. The pouches may then be
adhered to an inner surface or an outer surface of the multipack
header depending upon the desired billboard.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the multipack header and
package, the multipack header is formed into a generally triangular
cross-section wherein at least one pouch is positioned along
attachment areas on two sides of the generally triangular
cross-section. Accordingly, a gripping aperture is positioned along
a top portion of the multipack header and a spacer is positioned
along a bottom portion of the multipack header.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multipack header according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a disassembled package
according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of a multipack header according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a package according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front view of a multipack header according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a package according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 8;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a front view of a multipack header according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a disassembled
package according to one preferred embodiment of this
invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side view of a package according to one
preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a front view of a multipack header according to
one preferred embodiment of this invention;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a package according
to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the package shown in
FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 1-15 show several preferred embodiments of multipack
header 30 and unitized package 10 of two or more pouches 20.
According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a "pouch"
may comprise polyester, metallized PET, mylar, foil, paper or other
non-rigid container for holding food product, liquids, powders,
pellets, aggregrate and/or other goods that may be packaged in a
disposable, flexible container. Although pouches are the preferred
package described in this invention, bags and other suitable
containers may also be unitized using the invention described
herein.
[0032] A pouch typically includes laminates with a high
temperature, non-sealable film composing an outer layer and a
sealable film composing the inner layer. The pouch typically
includes a bottom, which may provide a self-supporting base, and
two generally parallel sides extending and/or tapering towards a
top. According to one preferred style of pouch, called a "gusseted
pouch," a self-supporting, generally planar base is created using a
gusseted bottom. In addition, such a pouch may include a gusseted
top. According to another preferred style of pouch, called a
"pillow pouch," a bottom of the pouch is sealed so as to not result
in a self-supporting base. Such pouches may have various
configurations including different shapes, sizes, spouts and/or
closures.
[0033] Regardless of the preferred configuration of the pouch, the
two generally parallel and/or tapering sides terminate at a top of
the pouch which is formed, in part, by an internal seal between the
two sides. The internal seal preferably is formed between the inner
walls of the two opposing sides of the pouch. This internal seal
holds and maintains the respective contents within the pouch until
the consumer tears or otherwise breaks the seal to access the
inside contents of the pouch. This internal seal, called a "fin
seal," creates a generally planar area along the top of the pouch
generally along and above the internal seal area.
[0034] Examples of such products distributed in pouches include
juice, coffee, pet food, dry pasta, baking mixes, etc. Accordingly,
package 10 according to this invention, may hold any number of
pouches 20 that are convenient for cost, weight and/or
consumption.
[0035] Package 10 according to a preferred embodiment of this
invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and preferably includes at
least two pouches 20 and multipack header 30 positioned and adhered
along a top portion of the pouches 20. Multipack header 30
according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is formed
from a generally planar, flexible sheet of low density polyethylene
and die-cut, or otherwise formed, into a preferred configuration,
such as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 10.
[0036] Pouches 20 are preferably formed in an array within package
10. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention,
pouches 20 may be formed in an array of longitudinal rows and
transverse ranks. The longitudinal rows of pouches 20 are
preferably formed along the length or long edge of multipack header
30. Transverse ranks of pouches 20 may be formed by positioning
pouches on either side of multipack header 30, possibly in multiple
layers as described in more detail below.
[0037] As a result of the various configurations of packages 10
described herein, two or more inherently unstable pouches 20 may be
joined using multipack header 30 to create a stable package 10. A
unitized package 10 having such stability may be stacked, hung,
displayed, stored and carried in a more efficient manner than
conventional groups of such individual pouches 20.
[0038] Multipack header 30 preferably formed or punched to include
gripping aperture 40 and one or more generally planar attachment
areas 35. Gripping aperture 40 is preferably spaced to receive at
least a portion of one or more fingers or a hand of a consumer to
result in a comfortable carrying engagement. Alternatively, or in
addition, multipack header 30 may include one or more smaller
apertures to facilitate hanging multipack header 30 from a peghook
or similar hanging display.
[0039] Attachment areas 35 are preferably sized and positioned to
facilitate attachment of two or more pouches 20, in particular,
along the top edges of each of the two parallel sides of pouch 20,
namely along the generally planar area surrounding a fin seal.
Attachment areas 35 are generally planar and of sufficient length
to glue, heat seal or otherwise affix a portion of pouch 20 to
multipack header 30 in a manner to prevent accidental detachment
and yet permit purposeful detachment, preferably without
diminishing the integrity of the remaining package.
[0040] According to one preferred embodiment of multipack header 30
and package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3, multipack header 30 comprises a
single planar sheet of plastic having gripping aperture 40
positioned along a top portion of multipack header 30 and
attachment areas 35 extending along each side of a lower portion of
multipack header 30. Pouches 20 are then adhered to each side of
multipack header 30 along each attachment area 35. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, package 10 may be configured so that each attachment
area 35 is positioned along outer surfaces of multipack header 30
so that pouches 20 are affixed along the outside of package 10.
Therefore, multipack header 30 in positioned along the interior of
package 10 and may be generally hidden from view but for the top
portion having promotional billboard area and/or gripping aperture
40.
[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention,
pouches 20 may be pillow-pouches or other pouches that do not
include a self-supporting base. In addition, gusseted pouches may
include contents, such as liquid, that result in an inherently
unstable pouch or package. Accordingly, multipack header 30
provides a longitudinal rigidity along a top portion of package 10
thereby creating a generally stable package 10 from otherwise
unstable pouches 20. As a result, opposing pouches 20 connected
along their respective top portions form a self-supporting "saw
horse" structure having a central connection point at multipack
header 30. Opposing pouches 20 thereby lean against each other
based upon a fixed connection point along the pouches 20 respective
top portions.
[0042] According to one preferred embodiment of this invention
shown in FIGS. 4-6, multipack header 30 comprises two generally
planar attachment areas 35 extending in different planes from the
top portion of multipack header 30, wherein at least one pouch 20
is attached to each attachment area 35. Two layered sheets of
material may be positioned to create two planar attachment areas 35
extending in different planes that may be formed with seal 50
positioned below gripping aperture 40. Alternatively, multipack
header 30 may be formed by folding a single sheet resulting in a
"V"-shaped configuration having attachment areas 35 along each leg
of the "V." Alternatively, multipack header 30 may be formed of a
flat sheet of material having a smaller sheet of material formed
along seal 50 thereby creating a leg that results in two planar
attachment areas 35 extending from a top portion of multipack
header 30.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, package 10 may be configured so
that each attachment area 35 is positioned along an inside of
package 10 so that pouches 20 are affixed along inner surfaces of
multipack header 30. Such an arrangement permits placement of label
80, UPC codes, advertising and/or other promotional information
along an outside of package 10. Alternatively, package 10 may be
configured similar to package 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that
attachment area 35 is positioned along an outside of package 10 and
pouches 20 are affixed along outer surfaces of multipack header 30.
In addition, package 10 may include pouches 20 attached to
attachment areas 35 formed along exterior surfaces and attachment
areas 35 formed in interior surfaces of multipack header 30
resulting in multiple layers of pouches 20 forming an array of
longitudinal rows and transverse ranks along and within multipack
header 30.
[0044] According to another embodiment of this invention shown in
FIGS. 7-9, multipack header 30 comprises a generally triangular
cross-section wherein at least one pouch 20 is positioned along
attachment areas 35 on two sides of the generally triangular
cross-section. Accordingly, gripping aperture 40 is positioned
along a top portion of multipack header 30 and spacer 60 is
positioned along a bottom portion of multipack header 30 wherein
spacer 60 creates separation between opposing pouches 20. This
separation between opposing pouches 20 permits package 10 to stand
more erect.
[0045] As best shown in FIG. 7, the triangular cross-section may be
achieved by folding multipack header 30 so that one or more
connection tabs 70 mate with one or more connection apertures 65.
This configuration creates spacer 60 along a bottom side of the
triangular cross-section and attachment areas 35 along the
remaining two sides of the triangular cross-section.
[0046] As described above, the unitized package 10 according to
this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack
header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 of multipack header 30.
Pouches 20 may be affixed or adhered to multipack header 30 in any
number of methods. Pouches 20 may be heat sealed to multipack
header 30, glued directly to multipack header 30, taped to
multipack header 30 or otherwise adhered to multipack header 30
using methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
Preferably, each pouch 20 is separately removable from multipack
header 30 so that the integrity of package 10 remains intact
following removal of one or more pouches 20.
[0047] As a result, the unitized package 10 according to this
invention is preferably a self-supporting package having adequate
promotional area to display product and marketing information and
further enable a manufacturer or distributor to bundle and unitize
multiple packages of one product or multiple packages of different
products into a single, easy-to-carry package.
[0048] According to another preferred embodiment of this invention,
shown in FIGS. 10-12, multipack header 30 comprises gripping
aperture 40 and one or more slits 85 along a lower edge of
multipack header 30, such slits 85 forming a plurality of
attachment areas 35. As a result of slits 85, multiple folding tabs
75 extend along a bottom of multipack header 30. Folding tabs 75
may thus extend in different planes relative to one another and
relative to the remainder of multipack header 30 in this preferred
embodiment.
[0049] As described above, the unitized package 10 according to
this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack
header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 on folding tabs 75 of
multipack header 30. Preferably, folding tabs 75 are alternatingly
folded in opposite directions to facilitate attachment of pouches
to one or more folding tabs 75. Pouches 20 may be affixed or
adhered to multipack header 30 in any number of methods as
described above. According to a preferred embodiment of this
invention, pouches 20 may be attached in groups of two, three, four
or more pouches across, each pouch 20 affixed to one or more
folding tabs 75 in multipack header 30 so as to create a unitized
package. Pouches 20 may further be attached at different elevations
relative to a top portion of multipack header 30 so as to
accommodate pouches 20 in a more efficient manner, such as by
improving stackability and/or improving space efficiency.
[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, shown
in FIG. 10, multipack header 30 includes four slits 85 creating
five folding tabs 75. As shown in FIG. 10, folding tabs 75 on each
end (labeled as "A") preferably adhere to a first pouch 20; folding
tabs 75 positioned next inward (labeled as "B") preferably adhere
to a second pouch 20; and folding tab 75 positioned in the center
(labeled as "C") preferably adheres to a third pouch 20. As a
result, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, first pouch 20 and second
pouch 20 are positioned on the outside of package 10 and third
pouch 20 is positioned on the inside of package 10 between the
other two pouches 20, 20. Package 10 may be configured in any other
preferred manner utilizing folding tabs 75 and the respective
attachment areas 35 created thereon.
[0051] According to yet another preferred embodiment of this
invention, shown in FIGS. 13-15, multipack header 30 comprises
gripping aperture 40 and folding panel 90 internally positioned
within multipack header 30. Attachment areas 35 may be formed on
each side of folding panel 90, in addition to along a periphery of
multipack header 30 formed beneath folding panel 90. According to a
preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown in FIGS.
13-15, two folding panels 90 are formed on each side of multipack
header 30 resulting in at least four attachment areas 35 formed on
each side of multipack header 30.
[0052] As described above, the unitized package 10 according to
this invention includes two or more pouches 20 affixed to multipack
header 30, specifically attachment areas 35 on folding panel 90
and/or along periphery of multipack header 30. Preferably, folding
panels 90 may be folded inwardly toward a center of multipack
header 30 so as to facilitate attachment of pouches to one or more
folding panels 90. Pouches 20 may be affixed or adhered to
multipack header 30 in any number of methods as described above,
including heat sealing or with adhesive. According to a preferred
embodiment of this invention, pouches 20 may be attached in groups
of two, three, four or more pouches across, each pouch 20 affixed
to one or more folding panels 90 and along the periphery of
multipack header 30 so as to create a unitized package.
[0053] According to each of the packages 10 described above and
shown in the figures, package 10 may be carried using a designated
handle, such as gripping aperture 40. Alternatively, package 10 may
be carried by gripping any portion of multipack header 30. In
addition, package 10 may be carried by gripping and lifting any
individual pouch 20 within package 10 thereby lifting multipack
header 30 connected thereto and the remaining pouches 20 within
package 10.
[0054] In all of the preceding packages 10, pouches 20 may further
be attached at different elevations relative to a top portion of
multipack header 30 so as to accommodate pouches 20 in a more
efficient manner, such as by improving stackability and/or
improving space efficiency. In addition, different elevations of
pouches relative to the top portion of multipack header 30 may
correspond with different lengths of pouches 20 and/or different
angles of attachment of pouches 20 so that the final package 10 is
self-supporting and generally aligned in a desirable manner for
marketing. For instance, pouches 20 may be positioned at different
relative elevations to permit a pouch 20 positioned along an outer
surface of package 10 to maintain a desired viewing angle on a
shelf for the consumer.
[0055] While in the foregoing specification this invention has been
described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and
many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is
susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the
details described herein can be varied considerably without
departing from the basic principles of the invention.
* * * * *