U.S. patent application number 13/741764 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for flexible package.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sonoco Development, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph Gagne, Scott William Huffer, Donald McArthur.
Application Number | 20130182977 13/741764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48780022 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130182977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gagne; Joseph ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
FLEXIBLE PACKAGE
Abstract
A package for retaining consumable products is formed by a
planar sheet or web of a flexible material that is folded about a
plurality of aligned products. The fold of the sheet defines one
side edge of the package. The other three side edges of the package
are formed by sealing the front and back panel portions of the
sheet to one another. An opening mechanism is provided for exposing
at least a portion of the products retained within the package. The
opening mechanism may be provided along the folded side edge of the
package, at a corner of the package, adjacent to one of the sealed
side edges. Other forms of opening means may also be formed along
one of the seal edges along with means for resealing the opened
package.
Inventors: |
Gagne; Joseph; (Holyoke,
MA) ; McArthur; Donald; (Oswego, NY) ; Huffer;
Scott William; (Hartsville, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sonoco Development, Inc.; |
Hartsville |
SC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sonoco Development, Inc.
Hartsville
SC
|
Family ID: |
48780022 |
Appl. No.: |
13/741764 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61587787 |
Jan 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/20 20130101;
B65D 75/5844 20130101; B65D 33/00 20130101; B65D 2575/586
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/107 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A package for retaining a product comprising: a planar sheet
folded along a first edge and defining front and back panels about
the products, the folded first edge of the sheet defining one side
edge of the package, three side edges formed by sealing the front
and back panels to one another, the folded edge and the three
sealed side edges defining an interior package volume for storing
product therein, and opening means formed on at least one of the
side edges, the opening means for selectively exposing a portion of
the product retained within the package volume.
2. The package as in claim 1 wherein the opening means is provided
along the folded first edge.
3. The package of claim 2 wherein the opening means is provided
inwardly on the side edge from a package corner defined by the
folded first edge and one of the sealed side edges.
4. The package of claim 3 further comprising means for resealing
the opened package, the resealing means provided adjacent the
opening means.
5. The package of claim 3 wherein the opening means comprises a
score line within the planer sheet, the score line formed for
separation of a flap portion of the folded first edge, the
separation of the flap portion creating a notch in a portion of the
folded first edge for discharge of product from the package
volume.
6. The package of claim 5 wherein the score line is curved and
wraps over the folded first edge.
7. The package of claim 5 wherein the score line is formed such
that the flap portion remains attached to the package after
Separation along the score line.
8. The package of claim 7 further comprising means for resealing
the flap portion after separation along the score line
9. The package of claim 8 wherein the resealing means is provided
adjacent the opening means and inwardly of the package corner.
10. The package of claim 1 wherein the opening means is formed
along one of the sealed side edges.
11. The package of claim 10 wherein the opening means is formed by
a sealing void that is surrounded by the sealed portion of the one
sealed side edge, and wherein the sealed portion is defined by a
peelable seal.
12. The package of claim 11 wherein the peelable seal is formed by
one of the following: heat sealing and pressure sensitive
adhesive.
13. The package of claim 11 further comprising means for resealing
the opened package, the resealing means provided adjacent the
opening means.
14. A package for retaining a plurality of individual products in
an aligned formation, the package comprising: a body portion formed
from a planar sheet folded along a first edge and defining front
and back panels, the folded first edge of the sheet defining one
side edge of the body, and three side edges formed by sealing the
periphery of the front and back panels to one another, the folded
edge and the three sealed side edges defining a package volume for
storing the aligned products therein, and an opening mechanism
formed along the folded first edge for selectively exposing at
least a portion of the aligned products retained within the package
volume, the opening mechanism provided inwardly from a package
corner defined by the folded first edge and one of the sealed side
edges.
15. The package of claim 14 wherein the opening mechanism comprises
a score line provided within the planer sheet, the score line
extending over the folded first edge and along a portion within
each of the front and back panels, the score line providing for the
separation of a flap portion on the folded first edge, the
separation of the flap portion creating a notch in a portion of the
folded first edge for discharge of one of the aligned products from
within the package volume.
16. The package of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the score
line is curved.
17. The package of claim 15 wherein the score line is formed such
that the flap portion remains attached to the package after
separation along the score line.
18. The package of claim 17 further comprising means for resealing
the flap portion after separation along the score line.
19. The package of claim 18 wherein the resealing means is provided
adjacent the flap portion, adjacent the package corner.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims the benefit of the filing date
of provisional application Ser. No. 61/587,787, filed Jan. 18,
2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a package formed from a
flexible sheet material for retaining one or more product
therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Packages made of flexible sheet materials are known. Such
packages are formed to hold and retain a variety of products.
Certain package forms may be easily opened, but are not always
resealable.
[0004] Flexible packages for the storage of consumable products,
such as chewing gum in the form of sticks or slabs, are known. One
such package includes a folded sheet of flexible material. The
folded edge of the sheet forms one side of the package, while the
other sides are sealed together using an adhesive, a heat seal or
the like. The products retained may be of similar shape and size,
with the package surrounding and retaining the products in the
aligned fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the present disclosure a package for
consumable products (or the like) is disclosed. The package is
thrilled by a planar sheet or web that is folded about the
products. The fold of the sheet defines one side edge of the
package. The other three side edges of the package are formed by
sealing the front and back panel portions to one another. Opening
means is provided for exposing at least a portion of the products
retained within the package.
[0006] The opening means may be provided along the folded side edge
of the package, preferably at a corner of the package, adjacent to
one of the sealed side edges. The opening means may also be formed
along one of the seal edges. In addition, means for resealing the
opened package may be provided adjacent the opening means.
[0007] Other features of the present invention and combinations of
features will become apparent from the detailed description to
follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For the purpose of the present disclosure, drawings are
provided that show various forms. It should be understood that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown in the drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
package.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a formation process for the
package of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a partial perspective view of the package of
FIGS. 1 and 2, with a portion of the package in an opened
condition.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a
package.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a formation process for the
package of FIG. 4 along with a variation thereof.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of the package of
FIGS. 3 and 4, with a portion of the package in an opened
condition.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of further embodiment of a
package.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a formation process for the
package of FIG. 7 along with a variation thereof.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a formation process of a
further variation of the package of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a partial perspective view of the package of
FIGS. 7 and 8, with a portion of the package in an opened
condition.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of further embodiment of a
package.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a formation process for
the package of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a formation process of a
further variation of the package of FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 14 shows a partial perspective view of the package of
FIGS. 11 and 12, with a portion of the package in an opened
condition.
[0023] FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of a formation process of a
further embodiment of a package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the figures, where like numerals identify like elements,
there is shown a number of embodiments of a package or pouch for
consumable products, such as chewing gum sticks or slabs. As
generally shown in FIG. 1, the package 10 is comprised of flexible
sheet or web material that retains five sticks of gum 12 in an
aligned, planer formation. The sheet that forms the package 10 is
folded along one edge 14. The folded sheet forms a front panel 16
and back panel 18. The front and back panels 16, 18 are sealed to
one another along three side edges 20, 22, 24. The bottom side edge
22 is positioned opposite of the folded edge 14.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the package 10 is produced from a roll
26 of flexible material. The sheet roll 26 is preferably the width
of two package blanks 28, 30. The sheet 26 is slit down the middle
to make the two separate blanks 28, 30. To make a package 10, the
sheet 26 portion of each blank 28, 30 is folded in half in the
machine direction, around the product sticks 12. The folded blanks
28, 30 are then sealed on three side edges 22, 24, 26.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 1, the product sticks 12 are
accessed inside the sealed package 10 by an opening means 32, which
as shown is formed on the folded edge 14 of the package 12. The
opening means 32 in the present embodiment is preferably formed at
a corner of the package, adjacent to one of the sealed side edges
20. The opening means 32 is formed by a score line 34 within the
flexible sheet material 26 that forms the package blanks 28, 30.
(See also FIG. 2.) The score line 34 extends partially through the
material 26 and, as shown, forms a closed loop. When the package 10
is formed, the score line 34 extends over the top fold 14 of the
package 10 and is positioned on both the front panel 16 and back
panel 18. The score line 34, which may be formed by a laser, rotary
die cut or other device, creates a weakness in the sheet material
26 of the package 10, such that a flap portion 36 of the opening
means 30 may be separated from the main body of the sheet material
26. As shown in FIG. 3, the flap 36 has been removed from the
folded edge 14 of the package 10, creating a notch in the folded
edge 14 of the package 10 and exposing one product stick 12. The
formed opening or notch 38, which is defined by the position of the
score line loop 34. The opening 38 is sufficient to expose a
portion of the side surface of one stick 12 and long enough for the
stick to be removed from the package 10 through the opening. The
remaining sticks 12 are left in the package 10 upon removal of the
first stick. If additional sticks are desired to be removed, they
may be pushed towards the sealed side edge 20 and moved into
alignment with the position of the notch opening. The package side
edge 20 may be rolled closed for storage or otherwise sealed, such
as by providing a resealable adhesive on one or more surfaces
within the package 10.
[0027] The sheet material 26 of the present embodiment, and the
others discussed below, may take the form of a laminate material
having multiple layers. One example of a laminate for the present
purpose is a combination of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), foil
and Surlyn material. (Surlyn is a registered trademark of E.I.
duPont de Nemours and Company.) Alternatives to these materials
include oriented polypropylene (OPP) as a substitute for the PET.
The foil layer may be replaced by a metalized polyester (MPET). The
Surlyn material may be replaced, for example, by a polyethylene
having a low heat sealing temperature.
[0028] The combination of the PET and foil provide the strength
necessary for retaining product. The Surlyn material is
contemplated to be an extrusion coating on the inside of the foil.
The Surlyn material is typically used as a food contact or seal
layer in flexible packaging. In the contemplated embodiment, the
Surlyn material is used to form heat seals along the three side
edges 20, 22 and 24. The PET layer in the lamination may be about
48 gauge (ga). The thickness of the alternative OPP material is
contemplated to be 60 ga. The foil layer maybe in the range of 50
to 100 ga. The Surlyn seal coating may be fairly thin, such as
being about 25 ga. A "permanent" laminating adhesive may be used to
secure the PET to the foil, and may be a urethane based adhesive
product. Ink may be (reverse) printed on the inside surface of the
PET material and covered by the foil. The score line is
contemplated to extend through the PET material, but not onto the
foil layer. Appropriate graphics may be provided to identify the
opening mean and the contemplated method for opening the package.
The printing may be provided on the PET material by means of a
rotogravure process, which is presently preferred, by a
flexographic printing process or by some other known method.
[0029] An alternate embodiment of the package 10 is shown in FIGS.
4-6. In these figures, the package 10 is generally formed in the
same manner as that in FIGS. 1-3, with an alternate form of an
opening means provided, which is generally designated with the
numeral 132. In FIG. 4, the package 10 includes a top folded edge
14 and three sealed edges 20, 22, 24. A score line 134a is shown in
FIG. 4, adjacent the folded edge 14 of the package 10. The score
line 134a serves to define the opening means 132. As shown in FIG.
5, the score line 134a is formed across the fold line 14 on one
package blank 28 extending from the roll of sheet material 26. The
score line 134a is a concave curve extending in the machine
direction. In the second package blank 30, there is a score line
134b shown that is relatively wider than that shown in blank
28.
[0030] In FIG. 6, the flap 136 formed by the score line 134a is
separated from the main body of the package 10, forming the notch
138 and exposing a stick 12. Because of the concave formation of
the score line 134a, the flap 136 remains attached at the concave
end to the folded spine of the top edge 14 of the package 10. As
shown, the side surfaces of the stick are exposed by the open notch
138. It is contemplated that the wider arc of the score line 134b
from blank 30 (FIG. 5) would expose a greater amount of the side
surface of the stick 12 through the open notch 138. It is preferred
that the materials used for the package resist the continued
tearing by the flap 136 along the folded edge 14 of the package 10.
Maintaining the flap connected to the package 10 may be considered
advantageous as a means for reducing waste material that would need
disposal after opening. In addition, the flap may serve as a cover
for the opening, restricting entry of dust or other material into
and out of the package. The materials of the present embodiment are
contemplated to be the same as that discussed relative to FIGS.
1-3.
[0031] In FIGS. 7-10 there is shown a package 10 of the type
contemplated having further examples of opening means for access to
the stored product 12. In FIG. 7, the package 10 is shown with the
folded edge 14 and three seal edges 20, 22, 24. The edges in
combination with the front and back panels 16, 28 enclose the
aligned product sticks 12. The opening means 232 is defined by a
score line 234 formed along the folded edge 14, adjacent one sealed
side edge 20. In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown the initial assembly
of the package from the sheet roll 26. The top package blank 28
shows the opening means 232 formed from the score line 234. The
score line 232 is shown having relatively straight sides, a
transverse end line at one end and an open, non-scored opposite
end. A patterned adhesive 240 is provided under the transverse end
of the score line. The adhesive 240 is contemplated to be a
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and to be releasable. Another
possible example is a cold seal adhesive. The adhesive 240 includes
a transition line 242a where the releasable adhesive transitions
into the permanent, lamination adhesive. The combination of the
score line 234 and the adhesive 240 creates a lifting tab 244 on
the cut end of the flap 236 formed by the score line 234. (See also
FIG. 10.) The adhesive 240 is preferably resealable and provides a
means for resealing the package after initial opening.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 8 on blank 28, the adhesive 240 ends at
line 242a, which is shown as perpendicular to the side edges of the
remainder of the score line 234. In the blank 30 shown in FIG. 8,
the transition line 242b for the adhesive 240 is a concave curve in
the direction of the open end of the score line 234 (and in the
machine direction). In the blanks 31 in FIG. 9, the adhesive forms
a transition line 242c that is convex in the direction of the open
end of the score line (and in the machine direction). These
variations in the form of the adhesive 240 under the starting tab
244 are intended to vary the initiation of the tear created by the
flap portion 236 as it is separated from the package body.
Depending on the materials used for the lamination (and possibly
the form of the flap as defined by the score lines) the initiation
of the tear of the non-scored materials may need to be adjusted.
Certain formations of the adhesive transition may serve to
encourage separation. Others may need to make the separation more
controlled, and resist un-intended separation of the flap.
[0033] Also shown in FIG. 9, the open ends of the score line 234
are provided with inwardly directed stop cuts 246. These transverse
cuts deflect the tearing motion as the flap is separated. The tear
deflection may serve to stop the tearing action along the folded
edge 14. Alternatively, depending on the properties of the
materials used for the package, the stop cuts may serve to cause a
separation of the flap 236 from the package body.
[0034] In FIG. 10, the flap portion 236 is shown separated from the
package 10 to define the notch 240, although remaining attached at
the open end of the score line pattern 234. The adhesive 240 is
shown on the tab 44 and is also provided on a portion of the folded
edge 14, adjacent the sealed edge 20. The adhesive, in combination
with the score line, creates a start-up tab for easy separation of
the top surface of the laminate from the underlying layers. The
user would separate the tab and pull upwardly (and back). The
pulling force preferably tears the underlying layers along the
score line in the upper laminate layer. The tearing of the
underlying layers begins at the transition line 242a. Once the flap
236 is opened, the notch 240 is exposed and the stick 12 can be
removed there-through. As discussed above relative to other
variations, changes in the form and position of the score lines may
expose additional amounts of the side wall of the product, which
may serve to assist in removal of the stick 12 from the package 10.
The laminate materials of the present embodiment are contemplated
to be the same as that discussed relative to the other figures
herein. The adhesive utilized for the tab may take a number of
forms or may be an adhesive void, leaving the tab free from
engagement with the underlying layers. Further, the tab portion,
along with other structures may be formed in registration with the
graphics on the package to provide an identification of the opening
means and its operation.
[0035] In FIGS. 11-14, there is shown the package 10 with an
opening means 332 provided along the side seal 20. In FIG. 11, the
package 10 is shown in the same form as above, with the folded top
edge and three sealed side edges 20, 22, 24. The edges of the
package along with the front and back panels 16, 18 serve to retain
a plurality of product sticks 12 in an aligned format. The opening
means 332 is formed by a non-sealed area between the two plies of
the sealed edge 20. The non-seal area creates a thumb opening for
engaging the two plies and for applying a transverse force to open
the side seal 20.
[0036] In FIG. 12, the structure of the package blank 28 is shown.
The sheet material 26 creates the front and real panels 16, 18 of
the package 10. Upon folding the sheet 26 about the fold line 14,
the side edges of the back panel 20a, 22a and 24a are brought into
contact with the side edges 20b, 22b, 24b of the front panel 16.
The side edges may be sealed together by a heat seal or by an
adhesive. The opening means 332 is foamed by a peelable seal being
formed along the side edges 20. The peelable seal may be created by
adjusting the heat sealing process or by using a releasable
adhesive along the side edge. As shown, the side edge 20 is
provided with an extended width seal, as compared to the other side
edges 22, 24. Sealing voids 350 are provided on each side edge
portion 20a, 20b and are centered along the edge of the sheet 26.
When the sheet is folded, the voids are preferably brought into
alignment to create the thumb opening 348 (FIG. 11).
[0037] In the variation of FIG. 13, the sealing voids 351 are
relatively larger than those shown in FIG. 12. Hence the size of
the thumb opening 348 along the side edge of the package is
relatively longer, making the plies of the side edge easier to
separate.
[0038] In FIG. 14, the opening means 332 is shown after separation
of the sealed edge 20. The opening force is shown by the diverging
arrows. The force is applied by grabbing the plies 20a, 20b of the
side edge 20 within the thumb opening 348 (FIG. 11) created by the
voids 350. Resealing means may be provided in the form of a
resealable adhesive adjacent to or as part of the side seal 20. The
resealing means is provided for resealing the two plies back
together, after withdraw of one or more product pieces. A portion
of the extended seal 20 may be formed by heat sealing the two plies
together and by providing a resealable adhesive adjacent the
relatively stronger seal. Once the stronger seal is separated or
eliminated, the resealable sealing portion may be used for closing
the package.
[0039] In FIG. 15 there is shown a further variation of a side seal
separation opening means, which is generally designated by the
numeral 432. The package is formed from a sheet material 26 having
a width that forms two blanks, as discussed above. The side edge
portion 24 is formed from the two plies creating the front and rear
panels 16, 18. Two extension flaps 450a, 450b are provided adjacent
the side seal portions 24a, 24b. The extension flaps are not sealed
together when the package is created. Hence, the flaps 450a, 450b
may be separated by a transverse force, which is applied to peal
open the sealed edge 24. Again, the side seam may be created by a
peelable heat seal or a releasable adhesive. An adhesive may also
be provided adjacent the separated edge to provide means for
resealing the package after opening. A resealable cold seal
adhesive is one option for this type structure. The materials of
the present embodiment are contemplated to be the same as that
discussed relative to the other figures above.
[0040] The present disclosure includes a number of exemplary
embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art
from the foregoing that various other changes, omissions and
additions may be made therein, without departing from the spirit
and scope of the contemplated invention. The various embodiments
are intended to provide a range of opening options for a
folded-side, sealed or similar type package. The opening options
have a number of individualized structures that are relatively
simple to identify and that provide easy opening of the package and
withdrawal of the product contents.
* * * * *