U.S. patent application number 12/740301 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for expandable package.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE HUDSON-SHARP MACHINE CO.. Invention is credited to Michele Allamprese, Eric DeSmedt.
Application Number | 20120134607 12/740301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41721945 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120134607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeSmedt; Eric ; et
al. |
May 31, 2012 |
EXPANDABLE PACKAGE
Abstract
The present invention was directed to an expandable package
which facilitates packaging of compressible articles, such as
sanitary products, disposable diapers and the like. The expandable
package includes an outer bag body, and at least one inner
expansion element, which is maintained in a folded condition so
that articles within the package are maintained in a compressed
state. The package includes at least one preferentially weakened
area in the outer bag body, which when opened, permits the inner
expansion elements to unfold, thus facilitating convenient
separation and removal of individual articles from within the
package by consumers.
Inventors: |
DeSmedt; Eric; (Opwjk,
BE) ; Allamprese; Michele; (Waterloo, BE) |
Assignee: |
THE HUDSON-SHARP MACHINE
CO.
Green Bay
WI
|
Family ID: |
41721945 |
Appl. No.: |
12/740301 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
August 28, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2009/055312 |
371 Date: |
February 20, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61190439 |
Aug 28, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/120 ;
53/467 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/008 20130101;
B65D 75/5827 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; B65D 85/07
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/120 ;
53/467 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/20 20060101
B65D030/20; B65B 1/04 20060101 B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. An expandable package, comprising: an outer bag body including
front and rear body panels, and a pair of opposite ends between
which said body panels longitudinally extend, said bag body being
formed from flexible material; and at least one inner, folded
expansion element positioned within and joined to said outer bag
body, said expansion element being joined to said bag body at two
longitudinally spaced regions of said bag body, said expansion
element having an unfolded longitudinal dimension greater than the
longitudinal spacing of said regions, said bag body defining a
preferentially weakened area positioned generally between said
longitudinally spaced regions, so that upon opening of said bag
body at said weakened area, the ends of the bag body can separate
from each other as said inner expansion element unfolds, thereby
facilitating removal of articles from within said package.
2. An expandable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
bag body includes front and rear longitudinally extending body
panels, and said package includes a pair of said inner expansion
elements positioned in respective association with said front and
rear body panels, said expansion elements being spaced from each
other generally at the top of said package between said front and
rear body panels, whereby opening of said weakened area of the bag
body, permits each of said expansion elements to unfold, and
permits articles within the package to be removed generally through
the top thereof, generally from between said pair of expansion
elements.
3. An expandable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
weakened area comprises a perforation.
4. An expandable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
weakened area comprises a scored area of said bag body.
5. An expandable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
weakened area extends substantially continuously about the
periphery of said bag body.
6. An expandable package in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
bag body in formed from a web of heat-sealable material, and said
expansion element comprises zigzag tape heat-sealed to the web of
material at the interior of the bag body at said longitudinally
space regions.
7. A method of making an expandable package, comprising the steps
of: providing a web of flexible material; forming a series of
preferentially weakened areas transversely of the web of material,
spaced along the longitudinal axis of said web at intervals
corresponding to the length of each package being formed; providing
a plurality of expansion elements; joining each one of said
expansion elements to said web of material at a pair of
longitudinally spaced regions of said web of material so that the
expansion element extends across one of said preferentially
weakened areas between the respective longitudinally spaced
regions, each said expansion element having an unfolded
longitudinal dimension greater than the spacing between the
respective ones of the pair of longitudinally spaced regions;
providing a plurality of articles to placed in each of the packages
being formed; and folding said web of material to forming a series
of said packages, each including an outer bag body having front and
rear panels, and a pair of opposite ends between which said body
panels extend, with at least one of said expansion elements
positioned interiorly of each of the packages being formed,
including positioning the plurality of said articles, under
compression, in the package being formed, so that upon opening of
each package at the preferentially weakened area, the ends of the
bag body can separate from each other as the expansion element
unfolds, thereby facilitating removal of articles from within the
package.
8. A method of making an expandable package in accordance with
claim 7, including joining a pair of said expansion elements to
said web of material to extend across each one of said
preferentially weakened areas so that said expansion elements are
positioned in respective association with the front and rear panels
of the respective outer bag body, said pair of expansion elements
being spaced from each other, in a direction transversely of said
web of material, generally at the top of the package being formed,
so that upon opening of the package at the preferentially weakened
area thereof, the articles can be removed from the package
generally through the top thereof, generally from between said pair
of expansion elements.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to flexible
packaging for compressible articles, such as sanitary protection
products, disposable diapers, and the like, and more particularly
to an expandable package which facilitates storage and shipment by
permitting articles therein to be maintained in a compressed state,
with the package being expandable upon opening to facilitate
removal of articles therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flexible packaging arrangements, typically formed from
heat-sealable polymeric film materials, are in wide-spread use by
virtue of the efficiency with which they can be manufactured and
filled, and the convenience that they provide to consumers for
handling and storage of articles therein. For some types of
articles, such as sanitary protection products, disposable diapers,
and the like, articles within the package are typically maintained
in a compressed state to thereby desirably reduce costs associated
with storage and shipment.
[0003] During packaging, products of this nature are typically
packed vertically within an associated package, with the articles
subjected to compression in the cross-direction, with respect to
the filling machine. While these types of machines are capable of
applying a relatively high degree of compression to articles being
packaged in this fashion, the degree of compression is limited, in
certain respects, by convenience for the end user. In particular,
when such articles are subjected to relatively high compression,
upon opening of the package, the package can tend "explode", and
the articles therein can be inconveniently discharged from the
package. In the event that the products do not "pop out" in this
fashion, they may be retained within the package in a highly
compressed state, detracting from convenient removal of the first
few articles from within the package by consumers.
[0004] Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved form of package
which facilitates higher compression of articles therein to
facilitate efficient shipments and storage, while avoiding
drawbacks associated with convenient removal of such articles by
consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to an improved package
formed from flexible material, which notably is configured to
expand upon initial opening, thereby greatly facilitating
convenient removal of individual articles from within the package
by consumers. The expandability of the package can be provided in
an efficient fashion, without excessive expense, and can be filled
on conventional filling machines without significant or expensive
modifications.
[0006] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the present
expandable package includes an outer bag body including front and
rear body panels, and a pair of opposite ends between which the
body panels longitudinally extend. The bag body is preferably
formed from flexible material, such heat-sealable polymeric film.
However, it is within the preview of the present invention that
other flexible packaging materials can be employed for manufacture
of the present package.
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, the present
expandable package includes at least one inner, folded expansion
element positioned within and joined to the outer bag body of the
package. The expansion element is joined to the bag body at two
longitudinally spaced regions of the bag body, with the expansion
element having an unfolded, longitudinal dimension greater than the
longitudinal spacing of these regions. As used herein, the term
folded is intended to encompass any configuration of the inner
expansion element which effectively reduces its overall length,
including folding, fan-folding, coiling, bunching or the like.
[0008] The bag body defines a preferentially weakened area
positioned generally between the longitudinally spaced regions of
the bag body to which the inner expansion element is secured. By
this arrangement, upon opening of the bag body at the weakened
area, the ends of the bag body can separate from each other as the
inner expansion element unfolds. In this fashion, removal of
articles from within the packages is facilitated.
[0009] In the illustrated embodiment, the bag body includes front
and rear longitudinally extending body panels, and is provided with
a pair of inner expansion elements positioned in respective
association with the front and rear body panels. The expansion
elements are spaced from each other, generally at the top of the
package between the front and rear body panels. The weakened area
of the package is preferably provided so that it extends
substantially continuously about the periphery of the bag body.
[0010] Upon opening the weakened area, each of the pair of the
expansion elements is permitted to unfold as the package is opened.
This permits articles within the package to be removed generally
through the top thereof, generally from between the pair of
expansion elements.
[0011] A method of forming an expandable package in accordance with
the present invention includes providing a web of flexible
material, and forming a series of spaced apart weakened regions
which extend generally transversely of the web. The weakened
regions may each be provided in the form of a perforation or scored
area. The method further contemplates that the expansion elements,
such as in the form of zig zag tape, are thereafter joined to the
web of material, with each expansion element joined to the web at
longitudinally spaced regions, generally so that each expansion
element overlies and is connected across a respective one of the
weakened areas. The web of plastic material can thereafter be
formed into packages, in a conventional fashion, with compressed
articles positioned therein. The filled packages can be handled in
a conventional fashion for subsequent packaging, storage, and
shipment.
[0012] After purchase, each individual package can be expanded by
opening of the weakened area, whereby the ends of the package move
away from each other, under the influence of the compressed
articles therein, as the one or more expansion elements within the
package unfold and longitudinally extend. Consumers can then
conveniently remove articles from within the package.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become readily apparent from the accompanying drawings, and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an expandable
package embodying the principles of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of the package of
FIG. 1, showing the package in an expanded condition;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating manufacture of
the present package from a web of plastic fill material; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, diagrammatic view illustrating
securement of an expansion element to an associated flexible web of
material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, not intended to limit the
invention to specific embodiment illustrated.
[0019] With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, therein is illustrated
an expandable package 10 embodying the principles of the present
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the expandable package 10
has a generally rectangular configuration, including front and rear
panels 12 and 14, top and bottom panels 16 and 18, and opposite end
panels 20 and 22. As will be further described, package 10 is
expandable such that the front, rear, top, and bottom panels can be
expanded or lengthened, as the opposite end panels 20 and 22 are
moved away from each other.
[0020] In order to configure the package 10 for expandability, the
package includes an outer bag body, and at least one inner
expansion element 24 joined to the bag body at two longitudinally
spaced regions of the bag body. Prior to expansion of the package
10, the expansion element 24 is maintained in a folded condition,
that is, any configuration of the inner expansion element which
effectively reduces its overall length, including folding,
fan-folding, coiling, bunching and the like.
[0021] The bag body of the package 10 defines a preferentially
weakened area 26 which extends about the outer periphery of the bag
body, including front and rear panels 12 and 14, and top and bottom
panels 16 and 18, preferably in closely spaced relationship to one
of the end panels of the package, such as end panel 22 in the
illustrated embodiment. The preferentially weakened area can be
provided in the form of a perforation, score line, or the like, and
acts to releasably maintain the package in its unexpanded
condition, with the inner expansion element maintained in its
folded configuration.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates expandable package 10 in its unexpanded
condition, in which condition articles within the package, such as
disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and like articles which can
be compressed, are maintained in a compressed condition, thus
facilitating efficient storage and shipment of the package 10.
[0023] In order to facilitate access to the contents of the package
10 by consumers, it is desirable that the compressed articles
within the package be uncompressed, thus facilitating separation
and withdrawal of the articles from within the package. To this
end, package 10 can be readily reconfigured to its expanded
configuration, shown in FIG. 2, by fracture, breaking, tearing, or
other opening of the package at the preferentially weakened area
26. Upon opening in this fashion, end panel 22 can move generally
outwardly of the remainder of the package, as the one or more inner
expansion elements 24 unfold and extend. It is preferred that the
inner expansion element not extend about the inner periphery of the
package, to thereby define a product opening 27 at which the
uncompressed products within the package can be easily removed. In
a current embodiment, a pair of the expansion elements 24 are
provided in respective association with the front and rear panels
12, 14, so that the expansion elements are spaced from each other
at the top and bottom panels 16, 18, thus providing product opening
27 upon expansion of the package.
[0024] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a method by which the expandable
package 10 of the present invention can be readily fabricated.
Package 10 can be efficiently formed from a plastic film web 28, or
like material, which is preferably heat-sealable. A series of the
preferentially weakened areas 26 are formed transversely of the web
of material 28, with the weakened regions spaced along the
longitudinal axis of the web at intervals corresponding to the
length of each package being formed.
[0025] Formation of the present package is next effected by the
provision of a plurality of the expansion elements 24, with each of
the expansion elements joined to the web at a pair of
longitudinally spaced regions of the web so that each expansion
element extends across one of the preferentially weakened areas 26
between the respective longitudinally spaced regions. As shown in
FIG. 4, such longitudinally spaced regions can be provided in the
form of suitable seals 30, 32, which may be formed by heat-seals,
adhesive seals, or like techniques as are known in the art.
[0026] As noted, each expansion element 24 has an unfolded
longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal spacing
between the respective ones of the longitudinally spaced regions
i.e., seals 30, 32.
[0027] Package formation is further effected by providing a
plurality of articles to be placed in each of the packages being
formed, and thereafter folding the web of material to form a series
of packages. Each package thus-formed includes an outer bag body
having front and rear panels, and a pair of opposite ends between
which the body panels extend. At least one of each of the expansion
elements 24 is positioned interiorly of each of the packages being
formed, with the formation method including positioning the
plurality of articles, under compression, in the package being
formed.
[0028] By this arrangement, upon opening of each package at the
preferentially weakened area, the ends of the bag body can separate
from each other as the one or more expansion elements unfold,
thereby facilitating removal of articles from within the
package.
[0029] In order to form an expandable package configured in
accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, it is
preferred that a pair of the expansion elements 24 be joined to the
web of material to respectively extend across each one of the
preferentially weakened areas, so that each of the expansion
elements is positioned in respective association with the front and
rear panels of the respective outer bag body. Thus, a pair of
expansion elements are spaced from each other, in a direction
transversely of the web of material, generally at the top of the
package being formed, so that upon opening of the package at the
preferentially weakened area thereof, the articles can be removed
from the package generally through the top thereof, such as through
product opening 28, generally from between the pair of expansion
elements 24.
[0030] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effected without departing from
the true spirit and scope of a novel concept of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should
be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended
claims all such modifications well within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *