U.S. patent application number 14/212506 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for pouch with lenticular image.
The applicant listed for this patent is Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to R. Charles Murray.
Application Number | 20140270577 14/212506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51527363 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140270577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murray; R. Charles |
September 18, 2014 |
POUCH WITH LENTICULAR IMAGE
Abstract
A flexible pouch is having a lenticular image is provided. The
lenticular image may be used to add depth or an animated effect to
the aesthetic design of the flexible pouch. The lenticular layer is
incorporated into the laminate of the flexible pouch. A lenticular
patch is also applied to a surface of the flexible pouch. The
lenticular image may be visible about the sealed portions of the
flexible pouch. Since the appearance of the lenticular image will
be distorted if the lenticular lens is bent or stretched, the
lenticular image may be used as a stress indicator to signify
portions of the flexible pouch that have been structurally
compromised.
Inventors: |
Murray; R. Charles;
(Sarasota, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51527363 |
Appl. No.: |
14/212506 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61783049 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/5 ; 156/250;
383/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 3/30 20130101; B32B
2451/00 20130101; B65D 75/54 20130101; B65D 2575/583 20130101; B32B
2307/412 20130101; B32B 2439/60 20130101; B65D 75/566 20130101;
B65D 33/004 20130101; B32B 2307/402 20130101; B65D 31/02 20130101;
B32B 3/18 20130101; B32B 7/12 20130101; Y10T 156/1052 20150115;
B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/5 ; 383/109;
156/250 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
Claims
1. A flexible pouch comprising: a pouch body formed from a laminate
material, the laminate material having a first layer of flexible
material, a second layer of flexible material, and a lenticular
layer disposed between the first and second layers of flexible
material.
2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the lenticular layer has a lens
layer and an image layer.
3. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the image layer has a plurality of
sequentially interlaced images.
4. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the lens layer has a plurality of
ridges.
5. The pouch of claim 3, wherein the lens layer has a plurality of
sequential ridges, the plurality of sequential ridges aligned with
the plurality of sequentially interlaced images.
6. The pouch of claim 3, wherein the plurality of sequentially
interlaced images are a plurality of different viewing angles of a
single image.
7. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the first layer of material is an
exterior surface of the pouch body, the second layer of material is
an interior surface of the pouch body, and the lens layer is
disposed between the first layer of material and the image
layer.
8. The pouch of claim 7, wherein the first layer of material is
formed of a transparent material.
9. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the lenticular layer is visibly
deformable between a normal state and a stressed state.
10. A flexible pouch comprising: a pouch body formed from a
laminate material, the pouch body having an exterior surface; and a
lenticular patch having an adhesive backing, the adhesive backing
affixing the lenticular patch to the exterior surface of the pouch
body.
11. The pouch of claim 10, wherein the lenticular patch has a lens
layer and an image layer.
12. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the image layer has a plurality
of sequentially interlaced images.
13. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the lens layer has a plurality
of ridges.
14. The pouch of claim 12, wherein the lens layer has a plurality
of ridges, the plurality of ridges aligned with the plurality of
sequentially interlaced images.
15. The pouch of claim 12, wherein the plurality of sequentially
interlaced images are a plurality of different viewing angles of a
single image.
16. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the image layer is disposed
between the lens layer the adhesive backing.
17. The pouch of claim 10, wherein the lenticular layer is visibly
deformable between a normal state and a stressed state.
18. A method of forming a flexible pouch comprising the steps of:
providing a first roll of material forming an exterior surface, a
second roll of material forming an interior surface, and a third
roll of lenticular material disposed between the exterior surface
and the interior surface; cutting the first, second, and third
rolls of material into a laminate layer forming a front or a back
panel of a pouch body; and mounting the back panel to the front
panel to form the pouch body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/783,049 filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a flexible pouch.
More particularly, the invention relates to a flexible pouch having
a lenticular image. The lenticular image is incorporated into the
aesthetic design of the flexible pouch and also serves as a stress
indicator to signify if the flexible pouch has been
compromised.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of disposable portable containers are known in
the art for storing a fluid or dry product such as a liquid,
granular material, powder, or the like. One example of such a
container is a flexible pouch. Many consumers prefer the
convenience of flexible pouches due to their shape, size, and shelf
life.
[0004] Flexible pouches can be made from a flexible material,
preferably a laminate composed of sheets of plastic, aluminum, or
the like. The sheets are folded together and sealed along the side
edges so as to form a pouch body. The opening typically can be a
perforated tear-off portion of the pouch or it may be a plastic
fitment sealed to the flexible pouch that optionally may allow
sealing of the pouch after it has been opened.
[0005] Rather than having a label, flexible pouches can have
product designs and information incorporated directly into the
laminate used to form the flexible pouch. This allows the product
design used in the laminate to be easily changed according to the
manufacturer's needs.
[0006] Many commercial packages to draw consumers' attention to
their packages. Lenticular images produce printed images with an
illusion of depth or additionally the ability to change or move the
image as it is viewed from different angles. Lenticular images may
also appear as three dimensional (3D) or have an animated effect.
It would therefore be beneficial to incorporate the lenticular
imaging into a laminate to form a flexible pouch with a more
eye-catching design.
[0007] Unfortunately, lenticular images require precise alignment
to function properly and are easily subject to distortion. To
prevent this distortion, lenticular images are not often used in
applications where the lenticular image could potentially be
subjected to bending, stretching, or other physical
manipulation.
[0008] A benefit of using flexible pouches instead of rigid
packaging, such as cans or boxes, is that flexible pouches can
withstand minor physical contact without suffering noticeable
damage to the aesthetic appearance of the flexible pouch. In
comparison, cans or boxes may become dented, torn, or otherwise
physically damaged. However, while a dented can or a torn box may
indicate a damaged product, it is not always readily apparent if a
flexible pouch has been structurally compromised beyond a tolerable
level.
[0009] Flexible pouches are often used to accommodate fluids such
as juice, wine, or other beverages and may leak if the seals around
the flexible pouch become weakened. Extreme pressure applied to the
exterior of the pouch or expansion of the liquid contained therein
may weaken the seals of the flexible pouch without visually
damaging the flexible pouch itself. It would therefore be
beneficial for a manufacturer or consumer to be able to visually
ascertain whether the seals of a flexible pouch have been
compromised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, a flexible pouch
is provided having a lenticular image incorporated into the
laminate. The lenticular image may be used to add depth or an
animated effect to the aesthetic design of the flexible pouch. The
lenticular image is also incorporated into the laminate so as to be
visible about the sealed portions of the flexible pouch. Since the
appearance of the lenticular image will be distorted if the image
is bent or stretched, the lenticular image may be used as a stress
indicator to signify portions of the flexible pouch that have been
structurally compromised.
[0011] In a second aspect of the invention, a lenticular patch
having an adhesive backing is applied to an exterior surface of a
flexible pouch. The lenticular patch provides the same aesthetic
and stress indicator benefits of the previous aspect of the
invention, but is not incorporated directly in the laminate of the
flexible pouch.
[0012] In this way, the use of lenticular images in the laminate of
a flexible pouch or applied on an exterior surface of a flexible
pouch allows for an improved aesthetic design that can also be used
to determine the structural integrity of the flexible pouch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompany drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filled embodiment of a
flexible pouch having a lenticular image;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the front of the filled
embodiment of the flexible pouch from FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a an elevational view of the side of the filled
embodiment of the flexible pouch from FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan top view of the filled embodiment of the
flexible pouch of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the side of the flexible
pouch having a lenticular patch;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a panel of the flexible
pouch of FIG. 1 along the line 6-6; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the lenticular patch
with an adhesive backing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention involves a flexible pouch 10 formed
from a laminate 20 having a lenticular image 50. In a first
preferred embodiment, a lenticular layer 51 is incorporated into
the laminate 20 that forms the pouch body 70. In a second preferred
embodiment, a lenticular patch 100 having an adhesive backing 120
is applied to an exterior surface of the flexible pouch 10.
Embodiments of the lenticular image 50 add 3D, flip, or animated
effects to the aesthetic design of the flexible pouch 10. The
lenticular layer 51 is also used in the pouch body 70 and along the
sealed edges 40 of the flexible pouch 10 to visibly identify
portions of the flexible pouch 10 that have been structurally
compromised.
[0022] A first preferred embodiment of a flexible pouch 10 having a
lenticular layer 51 disposed within the laminate 20 is generally
shown in FIG. 1. The flexible pouch 10 is formed by folding
together sheets of flexible material 22, 24 and sealing the sheets
around the edges 40 to form a pouch body 70. The sheets of flexible
material 22, 24 are preferably laminates composed of plastic,
aluminum, or the like. Using laminates allows for the flexible
pouches 10 to have labels, designs, and other product information
incorporated directly into the flexible pouch 10. In a preferred
embodiment, the flexible pouch has a fitment 80, a clip hole 82,
and a scalloped edge 84.
[0023] A cross sectional view of the laminate 20 of the first
preferred embodiment along line 6-6 is shown in FIG. 6. In the
first preferred embodiment, a lenticular layer 51 is disposed
between two sheets of flexible material 22, 24 to form the laminate
20. The lenticular image 50 is a printed image that produces a
visible effect. Examples of the visible effect include a flip
effect, a 3D effect, and an animated effect. In a preferred
embodiment, the lenticular layer 51 has a lens layer 52 and an
image layer 54. The image layer 54 has a plurality of sequentially
interlaced images 56a, 56b that form the lenticular image. The lens
layer 52 has a plurality of ridges 53 that are aligned with the
interlaced images 56a, 56b.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the image layer 54 has two
interlaced images. In this embodiment, two sequentially interlaced
images 56a, 56b are aligned with each ridge 53 of the lens layer
52. One skilled in the art will appreciate that different
arrangements and configurations of the image layer 54 and the lens
layer 52 of the lenticular layer 50 are used to produce various
visual effects such as a flip effect, a 3D effect, and an animated
effect. The arrangement depicted in FIG. 6 is merely exemplary and
the invention should not be limited to the embodiment shown.
[0025] The lenticular layer 50 is disposed between at least two
sheets of flexible material 22, 24 to create the laminate 20. In
the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the lenticular layer 51 is
disposed between a first layer of flexible material 22 and a second
layer of flexible material 24. However, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that additional layers may be incorporated into the
laminate 20. For instance, the laminate 20 may be composed of
various combinations of lenticular image layers 51, conventional
product design layers, and flexible material layers 22, 24. One
skilled in the art will also appreciate that the opacity,
thickness, and other physical properties of the flexible materials
22, 24 may be adjusted according to the intended use of the
flexible pouch 10.
[0026] In the first preferred embodiment, the first layer of
flexible material 22 forms the exterior surface of the pouch 10 and
the second layer of flexible material 24 forms the interior surface
of the pouch 10. The lenticular layer 51 is disposed between the
first and second layers of material 22, 24 so that the lens layer
52 is between the first layer 22 and the image layer 54. In this
embodiment, the first layer 22 is transparent and the lenticular
image 50 is visible through the first layer 22.
[0027] In alternative embodiments, the lenticular image 50 is
visible through various transparent portions of the pouch 10. For
example, a front panel 72 of the pouch 10 is transparent and the
lenticular image 50 disposed in a rear panel 74 of the pouch 10. In
this configuration, the lenticular image 50 is visible through the
front panel 72 and the fluid contained in the pouch 10. One skilled
in the art will appreciate that the position visibility of the
lenticular image 50 on the pouch 10 may be modified without
departing from the sprit of the present application.
[0028] The lenticular image 50 also functions as a stress indicator
for the flexible pouch 10. Flexible pouches 10 are often used to
contain liquids such as juice, wine, or other beverage within the
sealed pouch 10. External and internal pressure applied to the
pouch during shipping or storage may compromise the seals 40 around
the perimeter of the pouch 10. However, unlike cans or cardboard
boxes which permanently deform or show visible signs of wear, the
physical condition of a flexible pouch 10 is not always
ascertainable from its appearance.
[0029] Lenticular images 50 that are subjected to bending,
stretching, or other deformations appear visibly distorted. An
additional benefit of incorporating lenticular images 50 into
flexible pouches 10 is to identify portions of the flexible pouch
10 that have been stressed or structurally compromised.
Accordingly, a distortion of the lenticular image 50 is indicative
of deformed portion of the pouch 10.
[0030] For example, in the first preferred embodiment a portion of
the lenticular layer 50 used throughout the flexible pouch 10 has
sequentially interlaced colors 56a, 56b. When an area of the pouch
10 is deformed or stressed, particularly a seal 40, the lenticular
image 50 in the deformed area appears distorted in comparison to a
normal or unstressed area of the pouch 10. The disparity between a
normal state of the lenticular image 50 and a stressed state of the
lenticular image 50 can be enhanced using interlaced images 56a,
56b that are contrasting or that will draw attention to a stressed
area of the pouch 10.
[0031] The lenticular image 50 also functions as a structural
reinforcement for the flexible pouch 10. An advantageous feature of
flexible pouches 10 relative to plastic bottles, metal cans, and
preassembled cardboard containers is that empty pouches 10 may be
flattened for shipping or disposal. In this way, empty flexible
pouches 10 take up less space than other conventional fluid
containers. However, as flexible pouches 10 are not entirely rigid
structures, the pouch body 70 may collapse or lose shape as fluid
is emptied from the pouch 10.
[0032] An additional benefit of the lenticular image 50 is that the
ridges 53 of the lens layer 52 provide structural reinforcement to
the laminate 20. In a preferred embodiment, the pouch 10 stands in
an upright position. The lenticular image 50 disposed within the
laminate 20 prevents the pouch body 70 from collapsing as the fluid
is emptied from the pouch. However, in this arrangement the
lenticular image 50 does not prevent an empty pouch 10 from being
flattened for shipping or disposal. As such, the lenticular image
50 allows the flexible pouch 10 to retain the advantage of flat
packaging when empty while adding structural reinforcement when the
pouch 10 is partially filled.
[0033] In a second preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 5, a
lenticular patch 100 having an adhesive backing 120 is applied to a
surface of the pouch body 70. A cross sectional view of the
lenticular patch 100 is shown in detail in FIG. 7. Similar to the
lenticular layer 50, the lenticular patch 100 has a lens layer 130
and an image layer 110. The adhesive backing 120 allows the
lenticular patch 100 to be applied to a surface of the pouch body
70.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the image layer 110 has two
interlaced images. In this embodiment, two sequentially interlaced
images 110a, 110h are aligned with each ridge 131 of the lens layer
130. One skilled in the art will appreciate that different
arrangements and configurations of the image layer 110 and the lens
layer 130 of the lenticular patch 100 are used to produce various
visual effects such as a flip effect, a 3D effect, and an animated
effect. The arrangement depicted in FIG. 7 is merely exemplary and
the invention should not be limited to the embodiment shown.
[0035] The lenticular patch 100 allows the previously discussed
benefits of the lenticular image 50 to be applied to select
portions of the pouch body 70. The lenticular patch 100 produces
visual effects, functions as a stress indicator for the flexible
pouch 10, and provides targeted reinforcement to portions of the
pouch body 70.
[0036] As seen from the foregoing, the lenticular layer 51 disposed
within the laminate 20 and the lenticular patch 100 are used as
both a design feature and a functional component of the flexible
pouch 10. The lenticular image 50 produces a visual effect on the
flexible pouch 10 while also serving as a stress indicator and a
structural reinforcement. The visible distortions of the lenticular
image 50 indicate areas where the flexible pouch 10 is physically
compromised.
[0037] However, the design and shape of the flexible pouch is
merely exemplary and the invention should not be limited to the
embodiments disclosed herein. The invention is not to be limited to
the described embodiments herein, but it should be appreciated that
one skilled in the art would make various changes, modifications,
etc. and still fall within the scope of the invention. Therefore,
the application should be interpreted broadly.
* * * * *