U.S. patent application number 13/394433 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for soft-sided flexible blister package.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC. Invention is credited to Paul K. Bowers, James Glydon.
Application Number | 20120241347 13/394433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42989270 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120241347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowers; Paul K. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
SOFT-SIDED FLEXIBLE BLISTER PACKAGE
Abstract
A flexible package (10) is provided for a consumable product.
The flexible package includes a pair of flexible packaging films
(12, 14) for enclosing the product therebetween. The films are
bonded together to define a perimeter seal for surrounding the
product. One of the films may be rupturable so as to allow
dispensing of the product through the film under manual
pressure.
Inventors: |
Bowers; Paul K.; (Long
Valley, NJ) ; Glydon; James; (Cedar Knolls,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Kraft Foods Global Brands
LLC
Northfield
IL
|
Family ID: |
42989270 |
Appl. No.: |
13/394433 |
Filed: |
September 7, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 7, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/47939 |
371 Date: |
May 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61240404 |
Sep 8, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/469 ;
206/461; 206/467; 206/471; 53/433; 53/452; 53/453 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/327 20130101;
B65D 75/323 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/469 ;
206/461; 206/471; 206/467; 53/452; 53/453; 53/433 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/30 20060101
B65D075/30; B65B 31/00 20060101 B65B031/00; B65D 17/28 20060101
B65D017/28; B65B 11/50 20060101 B65B011/50; B65D 75/32 20060101
B65D075/32; B65D 75/34 20060101 B65D075/34 |
Claims
1. A flexible package for a consumable product comprising: a pair
of flexible packaging films for enclosing said product
therebetween; and said films being bonded together to define a
perimeter seal for surrounding said product.
2. A flexible package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
flexible packaging films comprises a rupturable material to allow
dispensing of said product therethrough under manual pressure.
3. A flexible package of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said
perimeter seal comprises a releaseable seal to allow dispensing of
said product therethrough under manual pressure.
4. A flexible package of claim 3 wherein the majority of the
perimeter seal comprises a releaseable seal.
5. A flexible package of claim 3 wherein perimeter seal comprises a
releaseable seal portion and a non-releaseable seal portion.
6. A flexible package of claim 1 wherein said films define a
plurality of said perimeter seals, each said perimeter seal for
surrounding one of a plurality of said products.
7. A flexible package of claim 4 wherein said film comprises a
perforation or line of weakness for enabling detachment of one said
perimeter seal from the remaining perimeter seals.
8. A flexible package of claim 7 wherein said plurality of
perimeter seals are arranged in at least one column and said
releaseable seal portions of each said perimeter seal are
longitudinally aligned with respect to adjacent compartments within
the column.
9. A flexible package of claim 1 wherein said films are
transparent.
10. A flexible package of claim 1 wherein the perimeter seal is
formed by welding the films together.
11. A consumable product package assembly comprising: a plurality
of consumable products; a flexible package, said package defining
plural product compartments each compartment enclosing at least one
product of said plurality; and each said compartment being defined
by a perimetrical seal about said at least one product.
12. An assembly of claim 11 wherein the flexible package comprises
at least one material which is rupturable to allow dispensing of
said product through said portion.
13. An assembly of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of said
perimetrical seal is releaseable to allow dispensing of said
product through said portion.
14. An assembly of claim 11 wherein each said perimeter seal
comprises a releaseable portion and a non-releaseable portion.
15. An assembly of claim 14 wherein each said component is
separated by a perforation or line of weakness so as to permit
detachment of one said component from the packaging assembly.
16. An assembly of claim 11 wherein said flexible package further
comprises a pair of films bonded together to define said
compartments.
17. An assembly of claim 15 wherein said perforation or line of
weakness is positioned across said non-releasable portion.
18. An assembly of claim 15 wherein said perforation or line or
weakness is positioned adjacent said non-releasable portion.
19. An assembly of claim 11 wherein the perimeter seal is formed by
welding.
20. A method of forming a product package comprising the step of:
providing a first flexible film; forming an open ended compartment
in said sheet; inserting a product in said compartment through said
open end; providing a second flexible film; and positioning said
second film over said first film so as to enclose said
compartment.
21. A method of claim 20 wherein said providing steps include:
providing said first and second flexible film from rolls.
22. A method of claim 20 wherein said forming step includes:
applying a vacuum to one side of said first flexible film to form
said open ended compartment.
23. A method of claim 20 further including the step of sealing said
second film to said first film about said compartment.
24. A method of claim 23 wherein said sealing step further includes
sealing said second film to said first film perimetrically about
said compartment.
25. A method of claim 20 further including the step of placing an
inert gas in said compartment.
26. A method of claim 25 wherein said inert gas is scented.
27. A method of claim 20 further including the step of placing a
line of weakness in said film to permit rupturing of said film for
dispensing of said product from said compartment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/240,404, filed Sep. 8, 2009, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a package for
supporting a plurality of consumable products. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a soft, flexible blister
package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It has long been known to use blister packages to support
and house a plurality of consumable product such as candy, gum,
mints, as well as pharmaceutical products such as capsules, tablets
and the like. Conventional blister package assemblies of this type
include a thermal-formed blister tray having a plurality of
upwardly opening compartments which support the consumable products
therein. A blister cover or sheet encloses the open upper end of
the blister tray to sealably cover each of the compartments. The
blister cover may be formed of a wide variety of materials
including metal foil, plastic film or combinations thereof. The
blister tray is then supported in a paperboard sleeve in a slidable
fashion.
[0004] When it is desirable to dispense one of the products
contained within the blister tray, the blister tray is slid out
from the blister sleeve and the blister cover is removed from over
one of the compartments to dispense the product. Various techniques
are known to dispense the individual product from the compartments.
The blister cover could be formed of a rupturable material which
allows manual depression of the product through the cover.
[0005] In other embodiments, the blister cover may be peeled back
at selected locations over the compartment to open the compartment
to dispense the product.
[0006] While the blister tray and sleeve combination serves
adequately for its intended purposes, certain attributes are not
readily achieved with this arrangement. For example, the blister
tray and sleeve combination is a relatively rigid structure. As
successive products are dispensed from the assembly, the user must
maintain possession of the entire assembly, in tact, until the last
product is dispensed. Thus, when only a small amount of product
remains, the user still must carry the entire assembly.
[0007] Furthermore, until the blister tray is removed from the
blister sleeve, the products cannot be viewed. Thus, the user has
no idea of how many products remain in the assembly. Furthermore,
even when the tray is removed from the sleeve the product can only
be viewed from one side as the blister cover is typically formed of
a nontransparent material.
[0008] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a blister package
which can be more easily carried by the user where the products can
be viewed, and where after dispensing of a certain amount products,
the size of the package itself can be reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a flexible package for a
consumable product. The package includes a pair of packaging films
for supporting the product therebetween. The films are bonded
together to define a perimeter seal for surrounding the
products.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the
perimeter seal includes a releaseable seal to allow dispensing of
the product therethrough under manual pressure.
[0011] More preferably, the perimeter seal of the package includes
a releaseable seal portion and a nonreleaseable seal portion. The
film may also include a line perforation for detaching a portion of
the package from the remainder.
[0012] A method of forming a product package is also provided. The
method includes providing a first film and forming an open ended
compartment in the first film. A product is inserted into the
compartment and a second film is positioned over the first film to
enclose the compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a pair of flexible sheets on
either side of a plurality of products for forming the blister
package of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the assembled package of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of one embodiment of the blister
package of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a further embodiment of the
blister package of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a further embodiment of the
present invention employing cellular cushioning referred to as
bubble wrap.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional showing of the embodiment of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention provides a flexible soft-sided blister
package for accommodating one or more consumable products such as
candy, gum, mints, as well as pharmaceutical products such as
capsules, tablets and the like. The present invention also provides
for ease of dispensing of the products from the blister
package.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one representation of a
soft-sided blister package of the present invention is shown.
Blister package 10 is formed from a pair of flexible sheets 12 and
14. Sheets 12 and 14 may be formed of a wide variety of material
including plastic films and the like. For example, the plastic
films may include films formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyester, polyethylene or laminates and combinations thereof. In
addition, the films may be formed of cellulose and/or other
degradable or biodegradable materials. Preferably, as will be
described in further detail hereinbelow, the film sheets are
transparent enabling visualization of the products contained
therein. The sheets support therebetween a plurality of spaced
apart products, which in the present illustrative embodiment are
gum pellets 16. The gum pellets may be arranged in spaced apart
orientation defining plural rows and/or columns. While in the
preferred embodiments shown herein, a plurality of gum pellets are
shown, it is of course understood that it is within the
contemplation of the present invention that a single product may be
contained between the sheets 12 and 14.
[0021] The sheets 12 and 14 are provided, preferably, from a roll.
The sheets 12 and 14 are placed in intimate contact around the
array of gum pellets 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheets may be
secured together at locations between and around the gum pellets
16. Preferably, as will be described in further detail hereinbelow,
various heat seal techniques are used to secure the sheets 12 and
14 together around the gum pellets 16. Also, perforation lines may
be included to allow severing of the sheets between the pellets.
The assembled sheets may cut to the desired configuration to form
package 10. While the sheets 14, 16 conform about the pellets 16 to
form a pellet or pocket 15, it is contemplated that the pockets or
pouches for the pellets may be provided by vacuum forming
techniques.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the flexible
package of the present invention is shown. Package 20 is formed of
a pair of film sheets 22 and 24 which are sealed together about a
plurality of spaced apart gum pellets 26. In the present
illustrative embodiment, an arrangement of gum pellets in a
2.times.3 orientation is shown. However, it can be appreciated that
any arrangement of rows and columns is within the contemplation of
the present invention. The sheets 22 and 24 are sealed together
perimetrically around each pellet 26.
[0023] In the present embodiment, the perimetrical seal is a four
sided seal on each side of the rectangular gum pellet 26.
Preferably, the present invention employs a combination of a
permanent heat seal and a peelable releasable seal. It may be
appreciated, however, that the full heat seal or full releasable
seal may be employed.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the permanent heat seal 30 is applied to
three sides of the pellet 26 and a peelable releasable seal 34 is
applied to the remaining sides. In the present illustrative
embodiment, the peelable releasable seal 34 of one column of gum
pellets is aligned along one edge 20a of the package 20. The
peelable releasable seal 34 of the second column is aligned along
the opposite edge 20b of the package 20. As depicted in FIG. 3, the
peelable releasable seal area 34 is openable under manual squeeze
pressure. Thus, the user may dispense an individual pellet 26 from
the package 20 by squeezing the pellet through the adjacent
peelable releasable seal area 34. Such manual pressure opens the
seal and allows dispensing of the pellets.
[0025] A further feature of the present invention includes the
ability to provide perforations along the permanent heat seal area
32. Such perforations 36 allow the package to be separated between
the gum pellets 26 so as to provide separate sealed packages. Any
arrangement of individual package configurations may be achieved by
the arrangement and location of the perforations 36. As can be
appreciated, the package 20 can be severed into smaller units such
as columns or rows or can be severed to provide individual sealed
pellets. In fact, the arrangement of the perforations 36 allow the
package to be separated into any number or configurations of gum
pellets 26. Moreover, the package 20 can be separated both prior to
dispensing the gum pellets 26 or after dispensing the gum pellets
26. Thus, as each gum pellet is used from the assembled packet, the
dispensed portion of the package can be removed from the remainder.
This allows the package to be made smaller as the pellets 26 are
used.
[0026] In addition, as above noted, the sheets 22 and 24 may be
formed of a wide variety of material. Furthermore, the sheets may
be formed of transparent, translucent or similar tear-opaque
materials which would allow visualization of the pellets 26
contained therein. Thus, the consumer would know the type of
pellets contained within the package as well as know how many
pellets remain in an assembled package.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the package
of the present invention is shown. Package 30 is shown in a single
column arrangement including a plurality of gum pellets 36 therein.
While a single column is shown, it is understood that the
arrangement of FIG. 4 could be employed in a multiple column
orientation.
[0028] In the present illustrative embodiment, a permanent heat
seal 50 is applied about three sides of the pellet 46. The upper
side as viewed in FIG. 4 includes the peelable, releasable seal 54.
Thus, the arrangement of FIG. 4 allows dispensing in vertical
sequence of each individual pellet 46. Perforations are provided
between the vertically arranged pellets where the perforation 60 is
next adjacent the peelable release seal 54, but is wholly contained
within the heat seal 50. Thus, once the first pellet is dispensed
from the upper end of the vertical package 40, the used portion of
the package can be removed at the perforation 60 then the next
successive pellet 46 is available for dispensing. Even after
separation, the remaining pellets remain sealed. It, of course, may
be appreciated that the package may be severed at any of the
perforation locations to define smaller units. In fact, the package
can be severed at each perforation location to define individually
packaged and sealed pellets.
[0029] While the above embodiment has been described with respect
to providing a releasable seal along one side of each pellet, it is
contemplated that other dispensing techniques could be provided.
For example, the pellet could be surrounded on all sides by a
permanent heat seal. In such situations, the pellet can be expelled
by providing a rupturable location on the package and at the
pellet. Perforations, score lines or other "weakened" areas may be
provided so as to permit such rupturing to expel the pellet. FIG. 2
shows a perforation 15a which is adjacent pellet 15 to provide a
rupturable location. In order to assist in film rupturing, the
films may be formed of oriented plastic films such as OPP.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the present invention may also
employ a package 70 formed from a material similar to cellular
cushioning material commonly referred to a bubble wrap. The package
70 of the present embodiment may include two sheet-like layers 72
and 74 which may be formed of a wide variety of polymeric materials
including multi-layered materials and composites. First layer 72
has formed therein a series of pockets or compartments 76. The
compartments 76 may be arranged in any pattern and orientation.
Each compartment 76 has an open upper end 78 and a closed bottom
90. Each compartment forms a pocket for accommodating a gum pellet
16. A second planar upper layer 74 is bonded to first layer 72 so
as to enclose the open ended compartments 76 with the pellets 16
contained therein.
[0031] It is contemplated that package 70 of the present invention
may be formed by a wide variety of conventional forming techniques
well known in the art. For example, the first layer 72 may be
provided in sheet like form on a roll of material. The compartments
76 may be formed on the sheet by a vacuum process where the vacuum
pulls the layer to form the compartments. The sheet can be then cut
to the desired configuration and either prior to cutting the sheet
or after the gum pellets 16 have been dropped into the compartments
76.
[0032] The planar upper layer 74 may then be bonded over the lower
layer 72 enclosing the compartments. The bonding of the upper layer
74 to the lower layer 72 may be achieved by adhesive, heat or
ultrasonic welds or any other technique known in the art.
[0033] Once the pellets 16 are sealed within each compartment 76 of
lower layer 72, the products may be dispensed in a wide variety of
fashions. For example, the upper layer 74 may include thereon a
plurality of weakened lines, such as laser cuts, or perforations,
directly over the open ended compartment 76. Perforations 82 are
shown in FIG. 5 by way of example. The bottom 80 of lower layer 72
may be pushed inwardly against the upper layer 74 thereby rupturing
the perforation 85 and expelling the gum pellet 16 from compartment
76. In addition, it is contemplated that the closed bottom 80 of
compartment 76 may also include weakened lines such as perforation
so as to permit expulsion of the gum pellet through the closed
bottom end. In addition, it is contemplated that the material
forming lower layer 72 may be sufficiently weak that manual
pressure will cause the lower layer to rupture expelling the
product 16 therethrough without need for perforations.
[0034] Also, as is well known in the cellular cushioning field, air
can be entrapped within the chamber 76 to facilitate "popping" of
the chamber upon manual pressure to further assist in dispensing
the gum pellet 16 therefrom. Moreover, it is contemplated that each
sealed chamber 76 may include an inert gas entrapped therein. The
inert gas provides an internal pressure to the compartment which
facilitates "popping". In addition, the inert gas may include
scented air which will dispense a pleasant scent upon popping. Such
an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,644 issued Aug. 18,
1998 and entitled "Scented Bubble Wrap", the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
[0035] It is further contemplated that the scent contained within
the sealed chamber 76 could be selected to be complimentary to the
flavor of the gum pellet 16 contained therein.
Items
[0036] Item 1. A flexible package for a consumable product
comprising:
[0037] a pair of flexible packaging films for enclosing said
product therebetween; and
[0038] said films being bonded together to define a perimeter seal
for surrounding said product.
[0039] Item 2. A flexible package of item 1 wherein at least one of
the flexible packaging films comprises a rupturable material to
allow dispensing of said product therethrough under manual
pressure.
[0040] Item 3. A flexible package of items 1-2 wherein at least a
portion of said perimeter seal comprises a releaseable seal to
allow dispensing of said product therethrough under manual
pressure.
[0041] Item 4. A flexible package of items 1-3 wherein the majority
of the perimeter seal comprises a releaseable seal.
[0042] Item 5. A flexible package of items 1-3 wherein perimeter
seal comprises a releaseable seal portion and a non-releaseable
seal portion.
[0043] Item 6. A flexible package of items 1-5 wherein said films
define a plurality of said perimeter seals, each said perimeter
seal for surrounding one of a plurality of said products.
[0044] Item 7. A flexible package of items 1-4 wherein said film
comprises a perforation or line of weakness for enabling detachment
of one said perimeter seal from the remaining perimeter seals.
[0045] Item 8. A flexible package of item 7 wherein said plurality
of perimeter seals are arranged in at least one column and said
releaseable seal portions of each said perimeter seal are
longitudinally aligned with respect to adjacent compartments within
the column.
[0046] Item 9. A flexible package of items 1-8 wherein said films
are transparent.
[0047] Item 10. A flexible package of items 1-9 wherein the
perimeter seal is formed by welding the films together.
[0048] Item 11. A consumable product package assembly comprising: a
plurality of consumable products;
[0049] a flexible package, said package defining plural product
compartments each compartment enclosing at least one product of
said plurality; and
[0050] each said compartment being defined by a perimetrical seal
about said at least one product.
[0051] Item 12. An assembly of item 11 wherein the flexible package
comprises at least one material which is rupturable to allow
dispensing of said product through said portion.
[0052] Item 13. An assembly of items 11-12 wherein at least a
portion of said perimetrical seal is releaseable to allow
dispensing of said product through said portion.
[0053] Item 14. An assembly of items 11-13 wherein each said
perimeter seal comprises a releaseable portion and a
non-releaseable portion.
[0054] Item 15. An assembly of items 11-14 wherein each said
component is separated by a perforation or line of weakness so as
to permit detachment of one said component from the packaging
assembly.
[0055] Item 16. An assembly of items 11-15 wherein said flexible
package further comprises a pair of films bonded together to define
said compartments.
[0056] Item 17. An assembly of item 15 wherein said perforation or
line of weakness is positioned across said non-releasable
portion.
[0057] Item 18. An assembly of item 15 wherein said perforation or
line or weakness is positioned adjacent said non-releasable
portion.
[0058] Item 19. An assembly of items 11-18 wherein the perimeter
seal is formed by welding.
[0059] Item 20. A method of forming a product package comprising
the step of:
[0060] providing a first flexible film;
[0061] forming an open ended compartment in said sheet;
[0062] inserting a product in said compartment through said open
end;
[0063] providing a second flexible film; and
[0064] positioning said second film over said first film so as to
enclose said compartment.
[0065] Item 21. A method of item 20 wherein said providing steps
include:
[0066] providing said first and second flexible film from
rolls.
[0067] Item 22. A method of items 20-21 wherein said forming step
includes:
[0068] applying a vacuum to one side of said first flexible film to
form said open ended compartment.
[0069] Item 23. A method of items 20-22 further including the step
of sealing said second film to said first film about said
compartment.
[0070] Item 24. A method of item 23 wherein said sealing step
further includes sealing said second film to said first film
perimetrically about said compartment.
[0071] Item 25. A method of items 20-24 further including the step
of placing an inert gas in said compartment.
[0072] Item 26. A method of item 25 wherein said inert gas is
scented.
[0073] Item 27. A method of items 20-26 further including the step
of placing a line of weakness in said film to permit rupturing of
said film for dispensing of said product from said compartment.
[0074] Various changes to the foregoing described and shown
structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is
set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *