U.S. patent application number 11/084377 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for container for distributing granular material and associated method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Flex Pack U.S.A., Inc.. Invention is credited to Rod Ali.
Application Number | 20060210199 11/084377 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37010417 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060210199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ali; Rod |
September 21, 2006 |
Container for distributing granular material and associated
method
Abstract
A container includes a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls
joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower
end. A folded perforated dispensing panel is connected to the pair
of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and includes first and
second laterally adjacent portions. The first portion is joined to
adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls and has at
least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the
container. A seal is above the second portion of the folded
perforated dispensing panel.
Inventors: |
Ali; Rod; (Orlando,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALLEN, DYER, DOPPELT, MILBRATH & GILCHRIST P.A.
1401 CITRUS CENTER 255 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE
P.O. BOX 3791
ORLANDO
FL
32802-3791
US
|
Assignee: |
Flex Pack U.S.A., Inc.
Orlando
FL
|
Family ID: |
37010417 |
Appl. No.: |
11/084377 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/10 ; 383/106;
383/204; 383/61.2; 383/63; 383/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/14 20130101;
B65D 75/5866 20130101; B65D 33/2533 20130101; B65D 33/2508
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/010 ;
383/906; 383/063; 383/061.2; 383/204; 383/106 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/08 20060101
B65D033/08; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16; B65D 33/04 20060101
B65D033/04; B65D 33/00 20060101 B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls
joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower
end; a folded perforated dispensing panel connected to said pair of
opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and comprising first and
second laterally adjacent portions, said first portion being joined
to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls and having
at least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the
container; and at least one seal above the second portion of said
folded perforated dispensing panel.
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said folded perforated
dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated dispensing
panel.
3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said folded perforated
dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an
array of rows and columns.
4. A container according to claim 3 wherein each opening has a
diameter within a range of about 0.1 to 0.4 inches.
5. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible
opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel each
comprises a thermo plastic material.
6. A container according to claim 5 wherein said thermo plastic
material comprises polyester and polyethylene.
7. A container according to claim 1 wherein said at least one seal
comprises a re-sealable seal.
8. A container according to claim 7 wherein said re-sealable seal
comprises a tongue-and-groove closure arrangement.
9. A container according to claim 1 further comprising a tear-away
closure above said at least one seal.
10. A container according to claim 1 wherein one edge of said pair
of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed fold
line.
11. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible
opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing panel are
joined together via thermally welded seams.
12. A container according to claim 1 wherein said pair of flexible
opposing sidewalls comprises a transparent material.
13. A container according to claim 1 wherein the closed lower end
of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded base
panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends
thereof.
14. A container according to claim 14 wherein said folded base
panel is joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing
sidewalls, and defining a base for supporting the container in an
up-right position.
15. A combination of a container and granular material contained in
the container for distributing therefrom, the container comprising:
a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at opposite
side edges, and having a closed lower end; a folded perforated
dispensing panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at
upper ends thereof, and comprising first and second laterally
adjacent portions, said first portion being joined to adjacent
portions of said pair of opposing sidewalls and having at least one
opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container, and
said second portion comprising a plurality of openings for
distributing in a uniform manner the granular material from the
container; and at least one seal above the second portion of said
folded perforated dispensing panel.
16. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the granular
material comprises at least one of fertilizer and insecticide.
17. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said folded
perforated dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated
dispensing panel.
18. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said folded
perforated dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings
arranged in an array of rows and columns.
19. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said pair of
flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing
panel each comprises a thermo plastic material.
20. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said at least one
seal comprises a re-sealable seal.
21. A combination according to claim 15 further comprising a
tear-away closure above said at least one seal.
22. A combination according to claim 15 wherein one edge of said
pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed
fold line.
23. A combination according to claim 15 wherein said pair of
flexible opposing sidewalls and said folded perforated dispensing
panel are joined together via thermally welded seams.
24. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the closed lower
end of said pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded
base panel connected to said pair of opposing sidewalls at lower
ends thereof.
25. A combination according to claim 24 wherein said folded base
panel is joined to adjacent portions of said pair of opposing
sidewalls, and defining a base for supporting the container in an
up-right position.
26. A method for making a container for holding granular material,
the method comprising: providing a pair of flexible opposing
sidewalls joined together at opposite side edges, and having a
closed lower end; connecting a folded perforated dispensing panel
to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof, and the
folded perforated dispensing panel comprising first and second
laterally adjacent portions, the first portion being joined to
adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls and having at
least one opening therein defining a carrier handle for the
container; and providing at least one seal above the second portion
of the folded perforated dispensing panel.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the folded perforated
dispensing panel comprises an inwardly folded perforated dispensing
panel.
28. A method according to claim 26 wherein the folded perforated
dispensing panel comprises a plurality of openings arranged in an
array of rows and columns.
29. A method according to claim 26 wherein the pair of flexible
opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel each
comprises a thermo plastic material.
30. A method according to claim 26 wherein the at least one seal
comprises a re-sealable seal.
31. A method according to claim 26 further comprising providing a
tear-away closure above the at least one seal.
32. A method according to claim 26 wherein one edge of the pair of
flexible opposing sidewalls comprises an integrally formed fold
line.
33. A method according to claim 26 wherein the pair of flexible
opposing sidewalls and the folded perforated dispensing panel are
joined together via thermally welded seams.
34. A method according to claim 26 wherein the closed lower end of
the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls comprises a folded base
panel connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls at lower ends
thereof.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the folded base panel is
joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and
defining a base for supporting the container in an up-right
position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of containers,
and more particularly, to a container for distributing granular
material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Mechanical spreading equipment is normally used to spread
granular material on the ground. Fertilizer and insecticide, for
example, are commonly in the form of granular material. Mechanical
spreading equipment is very effective over relatively large
areas.
[0003] However, for relatively small areas, the use of mechanical
spreading equipment can be a hindrance. As an alternative to
mechanical spreading equipment, the spreading of granular material
may be performed using a hand-held scoop. In some instances, the
granular material may even be spread by hand, but this can be
inconvenient and messy.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,479 discloses a hand-held bag that is
used for distributing granular material. The bag includes first and
second opposing sidewalls connected together for enclosing the
granular material. In one end of the bag, a base gusset is provided
between the panels. The base gusset includes apertures therein for
distribution of the granular material.
[0005] A tongue-and-groove closure arrangement is provided adjacent
the apertures so that the bag can be selectively closed to inhibit
distribution of the granular material when desired. In the opposite
end of the bag, a handle is attached to the first and second
sidewalls. To operate the tongue-and-groove closure arrangement,
the bag has to be flipped over onto its handle. This is rather
awkward when the bag is still holding a substantial amount of
granular material. Moreover, if the tongue-and-groove closure
arrangement is not closed properly, the bag may reopen when carried
by the handle, thus spilling the granular material on the
ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an
object of the present invention to provide a container for
distributing granular material that is relatively convenient to
use.
[0007] This and other objects, features, and advantages in
accordance with the present invention are provided by a container
comprising a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls joined together at
opposite side edges, and having a closed lower end, and a folded
perforated dispensing panel connected to the pair of opposing
sidewalls at upper ends thereof. The folded perforated dispensing
panel may comprise first and second laterally adjacent portions.
The first portion may be joined to adjacent portions of the pair of
opposing sidewalls, and has at least one opening therein defining a
carrier handle for the container.
[0008] A seal may be above the second portion of the folded
perforated dispensing panel. The seal may comprise a re-sealable
seal, such as a tongue-and-groove closure arrangement. The
container may further comprise a tear-away closure above the
re-sealable seal.
[0009] The folded perforated dispensing panel may comprise an
inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel. The folded perforated
dispensing panel may comprise a plurality of openings arranged in
an array of rows and columns. The folded perforated dispensing
panel preferably extends across the width of the container, i.e.,
between its side edges. This advantageously allows the carrier
handle to have increased support due to the first portion of the
folded perforated dispensing panel being joined to the adjacent
portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls.
[0010] The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the folded
perforated dispensing panel may each comprise a thermo plastic
material. The thermo plastic material may be a laminated material
comprising polyester and polyethylene, for example. One edge of the
pair of flexible opposing sidewalls may comprise an integrally
formed fold line. The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls and the
folded perforated dispensing panel may be joined together via
thermally welded seams.
[0011] The closed lower end of the pair of flexible opposing
sidewalls may comprise a folded base panel connected to the pair of
opposing sidewalls at lower ends thereof. The folded base panel may
be joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls,
and may define a base for supporting the container in an up-right
position.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is to directed to a
combination of a container, as described above, and granular
material contained in the container for distributing therefrom.
After the container has been partially formed and the granular
material placed therein, the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls,
the folded perforated dispensing panel, and the folded base panel
may be joined together via thermally welded seams.
[0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method for making a container for holding granular material. The
method comprises providing a pair of flexible opposing sidewalls
joined together at opposite side edges, and having a closed lower
end, and connecting a folded perforated dispensing panel to the
pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends thereof. The folded
perforated dispensing panel may comprise first and second laterally
adjacent portions. The first portion may be joined to adjacent
portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and has at least one
opening therein defining a carrier handle for the container. The
method may further comprise providing at least one seal above the
second portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel.
[0014] As noted above, the folded perforated dispensing panel may
comprise an inwardly folded perforated dispensing panel that
preferably extends across the width of the container, i.e., between
its side edges. This simplifies the manufacturing process while
also permitting the carrier handle to have increased support due to
the first portion of the folded perforated dispensing panel being
joined to the adjacent portions of the pair of opposing
sidewalls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealed container in an
up-right position with granular material contained therein in
accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container illustrated in
FIG. 1 unsealed and in a tilted position for distributing the
granular material through the folded perforated dispensing
panel.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1
without the granular material therein.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken
along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0021] A container 10 with granular material 12 therein will
initially be described with reference FIGS. 1 and 2. The granular
material 12 may include fertilizer and insecticide, for example.
The container 10 includes a closed lower end 14 that defines a base
for supporting the container in an up-right position, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Being able to position the container 10 in
an up-right position allows the container to be easily displayed or
stored on a shelf, for example.
[0022] The illustrated container 10 is formed with transparent
material. This allows internal detail of the container 10 to be
more easily seen. However, non-transparent material may also be
used for forming the container 10. The transparent material may be
polyethylene, for example. Other compatible type materials may also
be used, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For
example, a laminated material of polyester and polyethylene may be
used.
[0023] To dispense the granular material 12 from the container 10,
as illustrated in FIG. 2, an end seal 16 is first torn off, and a
seal 18 above a perforated dispensing panel 20 is opened. The
container 10 is then placed in a tilted position so that the
granular material 12 may be dispensed through the perforated
dispensing panel 20. If the container 10 is not completely emptied
while dispensing the granular material 12, the seal 18 is closed
and the container may be placed back in the up-right position for
storage.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, construction of the container 10
will be described in greater detail. The container 10 comprises a
pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32 joined together at
opposite side edges 40, 42. The closed lower end 14 is at the base
of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32. A folded perforated
dispensing panel 50 is connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls
30, 32 at upper ends thereof.
[0025] The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 comprises first
and second laterally adjacent portions 52 and 20. The first portion
52 is joined to adjacent portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls
30, 32 and has at least one opening 60 therein defining a carrier
handle for the container 10. In the illustrated example, the
container 10 has a pair of openings 60 for defining the carrier
handle.
[0026] As illustrated, the folded perforated dispensing panel 50
preferably extends across the width of the container 10, i.e.,
between side edges 40, 42. This advantageously allows the carrier
handle to have increased support due to the first portion 52 of the
folded perforated dispensing panel 50 being joined to the adjacent
portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, 30, 32.
[0027] As best illustrated by the cross-sectional view in FIG. 4
taken along line A-A in FIG. 3, the first portion 52 of the folded
perforated dispensing panel 50 is thermally welded to the upper
portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32. As
noted above, this feature of the container 10 advantageously
provides increased support for the carrier handle. Seams 60a are
also formed around the openings 60 for providing even additional
support for the carrier handle.
[0028] The second portion 20 of the folded perforated dispensing
panel 50 is secured at the side edge 40 and at the boundary area 54
with the adjacent first portion 52. As best illustrated by the
cross-sectional view in FIG. 5 taken along line B-B in FIG. 3, the
second portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is
not thermally welded to the upper portions 30a, 32a of the pair of
opposing sidewalls 30, 32. This feature of the container 10
advantageously allows the second portion 20 of the folded
perforated dispensing panel 50 to expand so that the granular
material 12 may be dispensed therethrough.
[0029] In addition, a dip 82 is in the first portion 52 of the
folded perforated dispensing panel 50 adjacent the boundary area
54. The dip 82 permits the seal 18 to be more easily opened and
closed, as well as permitting the end seal 16 to be more easily
removed.
[0030] The pair of flexible opposing sidewalls 30, 32 and the
folded perforated dispensing panel 50 each preferably comprises a
thermo plastic material, such as polyethylene, for example. Thermo
plastic material may be welded together using heat, as readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art. For instance, the first
portion 52 of the folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is
thermally welded to the upper portions 30a, 32a of the pair of
opposing sidewalls 30, 32.
[0031] In addition, side edge 40 of the pair of opposing sidewalls
30, 32 is also thermally welded together to form a seam. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, lower and upper sections 42a, 42b of the
side edge 42 of the pair of opposing sidewalls 30, 32 are also
thermally welded together to form respective seams. The remaining
center section 42c of the side edge 42 comprises an integrally
formed fold line. Of course, a thermo seal may also be formed along
the center section 42c.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of opposing
sidewalls 30, 32 is one piece, with the center section 42c being
the integrally formed fold line, and the other edge 40 being
thermally welded to form a seal. In other embodiments, the pair of
opposing sidewalls 30, 32 are separate sections joined together by
thermally welding their respective edges.
[0033] The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is inwardly
folded, as best illustrated in the cross-sectional views of the
container 10 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The folded perforated dispensing
panel 50 comprises a plurality of openings 56 arranged in an array
of rows and columns. Each opening 56 has a diameter within a range
of about 0.1 to 0.4 inches, for example. Other diameters are
acceptable based upon the type of granular material 12 being
dispensed by the container 10.
[0034] The granular material 12 may be in a variety of forms
including grains, seeds, powders and pellets, for example. In
general, the maximum average dimension of the granular material 12
should be sufficiently smaller than the average diameter of the
openings 56 to facilitate distribution.
[0035] The seal 18 above the second portion 20 of the folded
perforated dispensing panel 50 is preferably in the form of a
tongue-and-groove closure arrangement, which is re-sealable. Other
arrangements for sealing the container 10 are also acceptable, as
readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0036] Above the seal 18 is the end seal 16, which is a tear-away
closure, i.e., it is not re-sealable. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a
perforated line 17 extends between a pair of edge notches 19.
Instead of a tear-away seal, as illustrated, the end seal 16 may be
removed by cutting with scissors, for example.
[0037] The closed lower end 14 of the container 10 includes a
folded base panel 70 connected to the pair of opposing sidewalls
30, 32 at lower ends thereof, as best illustrated by the
cross-sectional views in FIGS. 4 and 5 taken along lines A-A and
line B-B in FIG. 3. The folded base panel 70 is joined to adjacent
lower portions of the pair of opposing sidewalls, and defines a
base for supporting the container 10 in an up-right position.
[0038] The folded base panel 70 may be referred to as a gusset. As
the container 10 is filled with the granular material 12, the base
panel 70 unfolds or expands. The base panel 70 preferably includes
an integrally formed fold line 72 with sidewall 30 and an
integrally formed fold line 74 with sidewall 32. The side edges of
the folded base panel 70 are thermally welded to the lower edge
sections 41 of edges 40 on one side of the container 10, and to the
lower edge sections 43 of edges 42 on one side of the container.
Pairs of thermally welded diagonal seams 47 are also formed on each
side of the container 10 between the base panel 70 and the
respective sidewalls 30, 32. This results in an empty pocket 49
being formed at each end of the closed lower end 14.
[0039] The container 10 as described above may be formed in a
variety of different sizes, with the actual size depending on its
intended use. An example width of the container 10 between the
edges 40, 42 of the sidewalls 30, 32 is about 13 inches. An example
height of the container 10 along edge 40 of the sidewalls 30, 32 is
also about 13 inches, and a height of the container along edge 42
of the sidewalls is about 11 inches. The folded base panel 70
expands to about 3 inches when the container 10 is filled with the
granular material 12. Based upon these dimensions, up to 25 pounds
of granular material 12 may be held by the container.
[0040] Another aspect of the present invention is to directed to a
combination of a container 10, as described above, and granular
material 12 contained in the container for distributing therefrom.
After the container 10 has been partially formed and the granular
material 12 placed therein, the pair of flexible opposing sidewalls
30, 32, the folded perforated dispensing panel 50, and the folded
base panel 70 are joined together via thermally welded seams.
[0041] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method for making a container 10 for holding granular material 12.
The method comprises providing a pair of flexible opposing
sidewalls 30, 32 joined together at opposite side edges 40, 42, and
having a closed lower end 14, and connecting a folded perforated
dispensing panel 50 to the pair of opposing sidewalls at upper ends
thereof. The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 comprises first
and second laterally adjacent portions 52, 20. The first portion 52
is joined to adjacent portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing
sidewalls 30, 32, and has at least one opening 60 therein defining
a carrier handle for the container 10. The method further comprises
providing at least one seal 18 above the second portion 20 of the
folded perforated dispensing panel 50.
[0042] The folded perforated dispensing panel 50 is inwardly
folded, and preferably extends across the width of the container
10, i.e., between its side edges 40, 42. This simplifies the
manufacturing process while also permitting the carrier handle to
have increased support due to the first portion 52 of the folded
perforated dispensing panel 50 being joined to the adjacent
portions 30a, 32a of the pair of opposing sidewalls.
[0043] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit
of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the
associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention
is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and
that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *