US20160176582A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20160176582A1
Application number: US14/973,827
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Stephen McGuire; Scott Kendyl Stanley; Tadayoshi Ishihara; Lee Mathew Arent; Jun You; Joseph Craig Lester; Benjamin Jacob Clare; Marc Richard Bourgeois; Charles John Berg, Jr.
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2014-12-19
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Also published as: CN107108076A; EP3233663A1; BR112017012866A2; WO2016100758A1; CA2968891A1; MX2017008211A; JP2018502783A

Abstract

Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to flexible containers, and in particular, to flexible containers having with easily variable sizing, line-ups of such containers, and methods of making such line-ups.

BACKGROUND

“[I]f you cannot make pure goods and full weight, go to something else that is honest, even if it is breaking stone.” James Gamble, co-founder of The Procter and Gamble Company, from the mid-1800s. A ‘good’ that is ‘full weight’ is a product with an actual size that is true to its label; it delivers the product according to the listed size. While the quotation provided above is from some time ago, its principle continues to endure as a standard to which product manufacturers should aspire. And, this principle can be applied in many different contexts, including the embodiments of flexible containers described herein.

Fluent products include liquid products and/or pourable solid products. In various embodiments, a container can be used to receive, contain, and dispense one or more fluent products. And, in various embodiments, a container can be used to receive, contain, and/or dispense individual articles or separately packaged portions of a product. A container can include one or more product spaces. A product space can be configured to be filled with one or more fluent products. A container receives a fluent product when its product space is filled. Once filled to a desired volume, a container can be configured to contain the fluent product in its product space, until the fluent product is dispensed. A container contains a fluent product by providing a barrier around the fluent product. The barrier prevents the fluent product from escaping the product space. The barrier can also protect the fluent product from the environment outside of the container. A filled product space is typically closed off by a cap or a seal. A container can be configured to dispense one or more fluent products contained in its product space(s). Once dispensed, an end user can consume, apply, or otherwise use the fluent product(s), as appropriate. In various embodiments, a container may be configured to be refilled and reused or a container may be configured to be disposed of after a single fill or even after a single use. A container should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can receive, contain, and dispense its fluent product(s), as intended, without failure.

A container for fluent product(s) can be handled, displayed for sale, and put into use. A container can be handled in many different ways as it is made, filled, decorated, packaged, shipped, and unpacked. A container can experience a wide range of external forces and environmental conditions as it is handled by machines and people, moved by equipment and vehicles, and contacted by other containers and various packaging materials. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that it can be handled in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.

A container can also be displayed for sale in many different ways as it is offered for purchase. A container can be offered for sale as an individual article of commerce or packaged with one or more other containers or products, which together form an article of commerce. A container can be offered for sale as a primary package with or without a secondary package. A container can be decorated to display characters, graphics, branding, and/or other visual elements when the container is displayed for sale. A container can be configured to be displayed for sale while laying down or standing up on a store shelf, while presented in a merchandising display, while hanging on a display hanger, or while loaded into a display rack or a vending machine. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be displayed in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure.

A container can also be put into use in many different ways, by its end user. A container can be configured to be held and/or gripped by an end user, so a container should be appropriately sized and shaped for human hands; and for this purpose, a container can include useful structural features such as a handle and/or a gripping surface. A container can be stored while laying down or standing up on a support surface, while hanging on or from a projection such as a hook or a clip, or while supported by a product holder, or (for refillable or rechargeable containers) positioned in a refilling or recharging station. A container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) while in any of these storage positions or while being held by the user. A container can be configured to dispense fluent product(s) through the use of gravity, and/or pressure, and/or a dispensing mechanism, such as a pump, or a straw, or through the use of other kinds of dispensers known in the art. Some containers can be configured to be filled and/or refilled by a seller (e.g. a merchant or retailer) or by an end user. A container for fluent product(s) should be configured with a structure that allows it to be put to use in any of these ways, or in any other way known in the art, as intended, without failure. A container can also be configured to be disposed of by the end user, as waste and/or recyclable material, in various ways.

One conventional type of container for fluent products is a rigid container made from solid material(s). Examples of conventional rigid containers include molded plastic bottles, glass jars, metal cans, cardboard boxes, etc. These conventional rigid containers are well-known and generally useful; however their designs do present several notable difficulties.

First, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be expensive to make. Some rigid containers are made by a process shaping one or more solid materials. Other rigid containers are made with a phase change process, where container materials are heated (to soften/melt), then shaped, then cooled (to harden/solidify). Both kinds of making are energy intensive processes, which can require complex equipment.

Second, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can require significant amounts of material. Rigid containers that are designed to stand up on a support surface require solid walls that are thick enough to support the containers when they are filled. This can require significant amounts of material, which adds to the cost of the containers and can contribute to difficulties with their disposal.

Third, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be difficult to decorate. The sizes, shapes, (e.g. curved surfaces) and/or materials of some rigid containers, make it difficult to print directly on their outside surfaces. Labeling requires additional materials and processing, and limits the size and shape of the decoration. Overwrapping provides larger decoration areas, but also requires additional materials and processing, often at significant expense.

Fourth, some conventional rigid containers for fluent products can be prone to certain kinds of damage. If a rigid container is pushed against a rough surface, then the container can become scuffed, which may obscure printing on the container. If a rigid container is pressed against a hard object, then the container can become dented, which may look unsightly. And if a rigid container is dropped, then the container can rupture, which may cause its fluent product to be lost.

Fifth, some fluent products in conventional rigid containers can be difficult to dispense. When an end user squeezes a rigid container to dispense its fluent product, the end user must overcome the resistance of the rigid sides, to deform the container. Some users may lack the hand strength to easily overcome that resistance; these users may dispense less than their desired amount of fluent product. Other users may need to apply so much of their hand strength, that they cannot easily control how much they deform the container; these users may dispense more than their desired amount of fluent product.

Sixth, when using conventional rigid containers, it can be difficult for a manufacturer to change such containers from one product size to another product size.

Product manufacturers regularly need to change the sizes of their products, by changing the amounts of fluent products in their containers. As a first example, a manufacturer may wish to run a promotion, offering a container with more fluent product, at a particular price point. As a second example, a manufacturer may wish to offer a container with less fluent product at a lower price, to provide a particular value proposition to consumers. These are two common examples, but there are many more. Manufacturers may wish to offer containers with new and/or different amounts of fluent products for many other reasons, such as supply issues, manufacturing limitations, changeover needs, packaging considerations, distribution logistics, regulatory requirements, retailer requests, consumer preferences, competitive responses, market conditions, etc. These product sizing issues become even more complex for manufacturers that have products with many variations in many different markets.

When a product manufacturer offers a fluent product in a conventional rigid container, and the manufacturer needs to change the size of the product, the change usually requires the manufacturer to make and use a new size of container for the new amount. If a manufacturer wishes to offer a product size with more fluent product, then the manufacturer usually cannot significantly increase the amount of fluent product in the original container, because most rigid containers are designed with limited headspaces, which do not allow for overfilling. If a manufacturer wishes to offer a product size with less fluent product, then the manufacturer usually cannot significantly decrease the amount of fluent product in the original container, because there are often limits to underfilling product containers. In some geographies, there are regulations that prohibit manufacturers from underfilling rigid product containers, by a significant amount. Even apart from such regulations, a manufacturer may not wish to significantly underfill a product container, to avoid negative perceptions by end users of the product. For example, even if a manufacturer clearly labels its container with the correct amount of fluent product, if consumers see that the container is significantly underfilled, then the consumers may perceive that the container is not a good value. The consumer may then form a negative association with the brand for that product; this is something the manufacturer wishes to avoid.

Unfortunately, when a product manufacturer offers a fluent product in a conventional rigid container, making a new size of that container can be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to coordinate. Changing the size of a conventional rigid container can be expensive because it typically requires buying a new mold, which, depending on many factors, can cost anywhere from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. When several new molds are needed, these costs can multiply. Changing the size of a conventional rigid container can be time-consuming because a new mold may take weeks or even months to specify, design, fabricate, ship, and qualify for production.

Changing the size of a product container can be challenging to coordinate because the new size must fit with everything it touches—either directly or indirectly. In manufacturing a container, the container may touch various equipment for making, handling, decorating, labeling, and filling the container. In packaging a container, the container may touch various packaging equipment as well as secondary packaging materials, cartons, cases, and pallets. In supplying a container, the container may touch a wide variety of things, depending on how the container is supplied. When a container is supplied in a retail store, the container touches a store shelf or a merchandising display. When a container is supplied through an on-line retail environment, the container may touch pick bins, handling equipment, and/or shipping containers. In its use, a container may touch a container holder, container dispenser, or container refilling apparatus, among other things. At some point in its use, a container is also likely to be touched and/or held by human hands. For all of these touches, the size of the container must be coordinated to fit. And, of course, the changed product must have an actual size that is true to its label; it must continue to deliver the product in the listed size.

So, although product manufacturers regularly need to change the amounts of fluent products in their containers, doing so can be costly, time-consuming, and challenging to coordinate; as a result, when using conventional rigid containers, it can be difficult for a manufacturer to change such containers from one product size to another product size.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of containers made from flexible material. Because these containers are made from flexible material, these containers offer a number of advantages, when compared with conventional rigid containers.

First, these containers can be less expensive to make, because the conversion of flexible materials (from sheet form to finished goods) generally requires less energy and complexity, than formation of rigid materials (from bulk form to finished goods). Second, these containers can use less material, because they are configured with novel support structures that do not require the use of the thick solid walls used in conventional rigid containers. Third, these flexible containers can be easier to print and/or decorate, because they are made from flexible materials, and flexible materials can be printed and/or decorated as conformable webs, before they are formed into containers. Fourth, these flexible containers can be less prone to scuffing, denting, and rupture, because flexible materials allow their outer surfaces to deform when contacting surfaces and objects, and then to bounce back. Fifth, fluent products in these flexible containers can be more readily and carefully dispensed, because the sides of flexible containers can be more easily and controllably squeezed by human hands. Even though the containers of the present disclosure are made from flexible material, they can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can receive, contain, and dispense fluent product(s), as intended, without failure. Also, these containers can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can withstand external forces and environmental conditions from handling, without failure. Further, these containers can be configured with structures that allow them to be displayed and put into use, as intended, without failure. Sixth, these flexible containers can be configured with easily variable sizing, allowing a product manufacturer to change a product's size with less expense, in less time, and with less coordination, when compared with conventional rigid containers.

In a first set of embodiments of the present disclosure, a line-up of flexible containers having similar constructions can hold different amounts of fluent product at similar fill heights. This line-up of flexible containers can comprise a first disposable self-supporting flexible container and a second disposable self-supporting flexible container. Any or all of the containers in the line-up may or may not be configured for retail sale. The first container can have: a first product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a first folding pattern; a first external amount indicium that indicates a first listed amount of a first fluent product that is being offered for sale with the first container; a first actual amount of the first fluent product, disposed in the first product space, wherein the first actual amount is nearly equal to the first listed amount; and a first closed fill height for the first fluent product in the first product space. The second container can have: a second product space having a second product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a second folding pattern that is substantially the same as the first folding pattern; a second external amount indicium that indicates a second listed amount of a second fluent product that is being offered for sale with the second container (the second fluent product may be similar to, or the same as, or different from the first fluent product), wherein the second listed amount is a particular percentage less than the first listed amount, and the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 0.1% and less than or equal to 70%; a second actual amount of the second fluent product, disposed in the second product space, wherein the second actual amount is nearly equal to the second listed amount; and a second closed fill height for the second fluent product in the second product space, wherein the second closed fill height is greater than or equal to the first closed fill height.

In a second set of embodiments of the present disclosure, in a line-up of flexible containers having similar constructions, one of the containers can hold relatively less fluent product at an unexpectedly high fill height. This line-up of flexible containers can comprise a first disposable self-supporting flexible container and a second disposable self-supporting flexible container. Any or all of the containers in the line-up may or may not be configured for retail sale. The first container can have: a first product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a first folding pattern; a first external amount indicium that indicates a first listed amount of a first fluent product that is being offered for sale with the first container; a first actual amount of the first fluent product, disposed in the first product space, wherein the first actual amount is nearly equal to the first listed amount; and a first closed fill height for the first fluent product in the first product space. The second container can have: a second product space having a second product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a second folding pattern that is substantially the same as the first folding pattern; a second external amount indicium that indicates a second listed amount of a second fluent product that is being offered for sale with the second container (the second fluent product may be similar to, or the same as, or different from the first fluent product), wherein the second listed amount is a particular percentage less than the first listed amount, and the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 0.1% and less than or equal to 70%; a second actual amount of the second fluent product, disposed in the second product space, wherein the second actual amount is nearly equal to the second listed amount; and a second closed fill height for the second fluent product in the second product space, wherein the second closed fill height is a particular calculated value that falls within certain mathematical expressions (explained herein) that represent an unexpectedly high fill height.

In a third set of embodiments of the present disclosure, in a line-up of flexible containers having similar external shapes, one of the containers can hold relatively less fluent product. This line-up of flexible containers can comprise a first disposable self-supporting flexible container and a second disposable self-supporting flexible container. Any or all of the containers in the line-up may or may not be configured for retail sale. The first container can have a first overall front profile and a first product space with a first total capacity. The second container can have a second disposable self-supporting flexible container, having a second overall front profile that has substantially the same size and shape as the first overall front profile, and a second product space with a second total capacity that is a particular percentage less than the first total capacity; wherein the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 70%.

In a fourth set of embodiments of the present disclosure, in a line-up of flexible containers having similar external sizes, one of the containers can hold relatively less fluent product. This line-up of flexible containers can comprise a first disposable self-supporting flexible container and a second disposable self-supporting flexible container. Any or all of the containers in the line-up may or may not be configured for retail sale. The first container can have a first overall external displacement and a first product space with a first total capacity. The second container can have a second disposable self-supporting flexible container, having a second overall external displacement, and a second product space with a second total capacity that is a particular percentage less than the first total capacity; wherein the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 70%; and wherein the second overall external displacement is greater than or equal to the first overall external displacement.

Each of these line-ups of flexible containers offers a number of advantages. A product size can be changed with less expense, because processing equipment for a flexible container can be designed to change from one size to another, without the need to purchase new equipment. A product size can be changed in less time, because processing equipment for a flexible container can be changed over in hours or minutes (or even on the fly) rather than waiting for new equipment. A product size can be changed with less coordination, because flexible containers can be designed to have internal capacities that are different, but external dimensions that are similar (or the same). So, when using flexible containers of the present disclosure, a manufacturer can easily change such containers from one product size to another product size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a stand up flexible container.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D illustrates a bottom view of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 1F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 1G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a frustum.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 2A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 2F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 1A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 2G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 2A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a pyramid.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 3A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 3F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 3A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 3G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 3A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a trigonal prism.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 4A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 4F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 4A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 4G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 4A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a tetragonal prism.

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 5A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 5F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 5A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 5G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 5A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a pentagonal prism.

FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 6A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 6F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 6A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 6G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 6A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a cone.

FIG. 7B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 7A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 7F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 7A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 7G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 7A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a stand up flexible container having a structural support frame that has an overall shape like a cylinder.

FIG. 8B illustrates a front view of the container ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C illustrates a side view of the container ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D illustrates an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 8A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 8F illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 8A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 8G illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stand up flexible container ofFIG. 8A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 9A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container, having an overall shape like a square.

FIG. 9B illustrates an end view of the flexible container ofFIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 9A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 9D illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 9A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 9E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 9A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container, having an overall shape like a triangle.

FIG. 10B illustrates an end view of the flexible container ofFIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 10A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 10D illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 10A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 10E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 10A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 11A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container, having an overall shape like a circle.

FIG. 11B illustrates an end view of the flexible container ofFIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 11A, including an asymmetric structural support frame.

FIG. 11D illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 11A, including an internal structural support frame.

FIG. 11E illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the self-supporting flexible container ofFIG. 11A, including an external structural support frame.

FIG. 12A illustrates an isometric view of push-pull type dispenser.

FIG. 12B illustrates an isometric view of dispenser with a flip-top cap.

FIG. 12C illustrates an isometric view of dispenser with a screw-on cap.

FIG. 12D illustrates an isometric view of rotatable type dispenser.

FIG. 12E illustrates an isometric view of nozzle type dispenser with a cap.

FIG. 13A illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser.

FIG. 13B illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser with a lid.

FIG. 13C illustrates an isometric view of flip up straw dispenser.

FIG. 13D illustrates an isometric view of straw dispenser with bite valve.

FIG. 14A illustrates an isometric view of pump type dispenser.

FIG. 14B illustrates an isometric view of pump spray type dispenser.

FIG. 14C illustrates an isometric view of trigger spray type dispenser.

FIG. 15A illustrates a front view of a rigid container, having a first amount of a fluent product, according to the prior art.

FIG. 15B illustrates a front view of the rigid container ofFIG. 15A, having a second amount of a fluent product, which is greater than the first amount, according to the prior art.

FIG. 15C illustrates a front view of the rigid container ofFIG. 15A, having a third amount of a fluent product, which is less than the first amount, according to the prior art.

FIG. 16A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, which is closed and sealed by a cap.

FIG. 16B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, which is closed by a cap but vented through the cap.

FIG. 16C illustrates a front view of the flexible container, which is closed by a cap, but vented through a vent.

FIG. 16D illustrates a front view of the flexible container, which is vented through an open dispenser.

FIG. 17A illustrates a front view of a flexible container with a product space that is partially visible through one shaped product viewing portion.

FIG. 17B illustrates a front view of a flexible container with a product space that is partially visible through a product viewing portion that occupies a top portion of a panel on the container.

FIG. 17C illustrates a front view of a flexible container with a product space is partially visible through several shaped product viewing portions.

FIG. 17D illustrates a front view of a flexible container with a product space that is partially visible through an elongated product viewing portion that is a visual fill gauge.

FIG. 17E illustrates a front view of a flexible container with a product space that is fully visible through a product viewing portion that occupies all of a panel on the container.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process of how a flexible container is made, supplied, and used.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of an exemplary blank of flexible materials used to make a flexible container, wherein a sealing pattern and a folding pattern are illustrated in relation to the blank.

FIG. 20A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a first amount of a fluent product.

FIG. 20B illustrates a front view of the flexible container ofFIG. 20A, having a second amount of a fluent product, which is greater than the first amount.

FIG. 20C illustrates a front view of the flexible container ofFIG. 20A, having a third amount of a fluent product, which is less than the first amount.

FIG. 21 is a chart that illustrates various relationships between fill height and fill volume in product spaces for various types and configurations of containers.

FIG. 22A illustrates an exemplary squeeze panel profile.

FIG. 22B illustrates an exemplary overall front profile.

FIG. 22C illustrates an exemplary overall side profile and exemplary side profile central depth measurements.

FIG. 23A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a medium-sized overall top width.

FIG. 23B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger overall top width.

FIG. 23C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively small overall top width.

FIG. 24A illustrates a side view of a flexible container, having a medium-sized overall top thickness.

FIG. 24B illustrates a side view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger overall top thickness.

FIG. 24C illustrates a side view of a flexible container, having a relatively smaller overall top thickness.

FIG. 25A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a medium-sized overall height.

FIG. 25B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively taller overall height.

FIG. 25C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively shorter overall height.

FIG. 26A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a medium-sized overall side profile.

FIG. 26B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger overall side profile.

FIG. 26C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively smaller overall side profile.

FIG. 27A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively smaller treated area for increasing the rigidity of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 27B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having no treated area for increasing the rigidity of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 27C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger treated area for increasing the rigidity of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 28A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively smaller treated area for increasing the extensibility of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 28B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger treated area for increasing the extensibility of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 28C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having no treated area for increasing the extensibility of a squeeze panel.

FIG. 29A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively smaller folds for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 29B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having no folds for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 29C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively larger folds for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 30A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively few joining locations for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 30B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having no joining locations for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 30C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively many joining locations for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 31A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of a flexible container, having relatively few internal tie members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 31B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of a flexible container, having no internal tie members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 31C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of a flexible container, having relatively many internal tie members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 32A illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively few expanded surface stiffening members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 32B illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having no expanded surface stiffening members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 32C illustrates a front view of a flexible container, having relatively many expanded surface stiffening members for decreasing the size of an overall side profile.

FIG. 33A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container ofFIG. 32A.

FIG. 33B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container ofFIG. 32B.

FIG. 33C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container ofFIG. 32C.

FIG. 34A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container, having an intermediate amount of expansion material in a structural support volume.

FIG. 34B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container, having a relatively smaller amount of expansion material in a structural support volume.

FIG. 34C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container, having a relatively larger amount of expansion material in a structural support volume.

FIG. 35A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container having its product space increased a relatively smaller amount by an internal pressure.

FIG. 35B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container having its product space increased a relatively larger amount by an internal pressure.

FIG. 35C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of a flexible container having its product space not increased by an internal pressure.

FIG. 36A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of the flexible container ofFIG. 35A, when filled.

FIG. 36B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of the flexible container ofFIG. 35B, when filled.

FIG. 36C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional front view of the flexible container ofFIG. 35C, when filled.

FIG. 37A illustrates a side view of a flexible container having its product space decreased a relatively smaller amount by external pushing forces.

FIG. 37B illustrates a side view of a flexible container having its product space not decreased by external pushing forces.

FIG. 37C illustrates a side view of a flexible container having its product space decreased a relatively larger amount by external pushing forces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of containers made from flexible material. Because these containers are made from flexible material, these containers offer a number of advantages, when compared with conventional rigid containers. In particular, these flexible containers can be configured with easily variable sizing, allowing a product manufacturer to change a product's size with less expense, in less time, and with less coordination, when compared with conventional rigid containers. A product size can be changed with less expense, because processing equipment for a flexible container can be designed to change from one size to another, without the need to purchase new equipment. A product size can be changed in less time, because processing equipment for a flexible container can be changed over in hours or minutes (or even on the fly) rather than waiting for new equipment. A product size can be changed with less coordination, because flexible containers can be designed to have internal capacities that are different, but external dimensions that are similar (or the same). So, when using flexible containers of the present disclosure, a manufacturer can easily change such containers from one product size to another product size.

Even though the containers of the present disclosure are made from flexible material, they can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can receive, contain, and dispense fluent product(s), as intended, without failure. Also, these containers can be configured with sufficient structural integrity, such that they can withstand external forces and environmental conditions from handling, without failure. Further, these containers can be configured with structures that allow them to be displayed for sale and put into use, as intended, without failure.

As used herein, the term “about” modifies a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus twenty percent (+/−20%). For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to about that particular value (i.e. +/−20%).

As used herein, the term “actual amount” refers to a measured amount of the fluent product(s) present in a product space of a container when the container is configured for retail sale.

As used herein, the term “ambient conditions” refers to a temperature of 19-21 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 45-55%.

As used herein, the term “approximately” modifies a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus fifteen percent (+/−15%). For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/−15%).

As used herein, the term “atmospheric pressure” refers to an absolute pressure of 1 atmosphere.

As used herein, when referring to a sheet of material, the term “basis weight” refers to a measure of mass per area, in units of grams per square meter (gsm). For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any of the flexible materials can be configured to have a basis weight of 10-1000 gsm, or any integer value for gsm from 10-1000, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 20-800 gsm, 30-600 gsm, 40-400 gsm, or 50-200, etc.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “bottom” refers to the portion of the container that is located in the lowermost 30% of the overall height of the container, that is, from 0-30% of the overall height of the container. As used herein, the term bottom can be further limited by modifying the term bottom with a particular percentage value, which is less than 30%. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, a reference to the bottom of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the bottom 25% (i.e. from 0-25% of the overall height), the bottom 20% (i.e. from 0-20% of the overall height), the bottom 15% (i.e. from 0-15% of the overall height), the bottom 10% (i.e. from 0-10% of the overall height), or the bottom 5% (i.e. from 0-5% of the overall height), or any integer value for percentage between 0% and 30%.

As used herein, the term “branding” refers to a visual element intended to distinguish a product from other products. Examples of branding include one of more of any of the following: trademarks, trade dress, logos, icons, and the like. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any surface of the flexible container can include one or more brandings of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.

As used herein, the term “character” refers to a visual element intended to convey information. Examples of characters include one or more of any of the following: letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any surface of the flexible container can include one or more characters of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.

As used herein, the term “closed” refers to a state of a product space, wherein fluent products within the product space are prevented from escaping the product space (e.g. by one or more materials that form a barrier), but the product space is not necessarily hermetically sealed. For example, a closed container can include a vent, which allows a head space in the container to be in fluid communication with air in the environment outside of the container.

As used herein, the term “closed fill height” refers to a distance that is measured when the container is configured for retail sale and while the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, the distance measured vertically from the upper side of the support surface to a fill line in a product space of the container. If a container does not have a standing upright orientation but does have a hanging orientation, then the term closed fill height refers to a distance that is measured when the container is configured for retail sale and while the container is hanging down from a support, the distance measured vertically from the lowest point on the container to a fill line in a product space of the container. If a container does not have a standing upright orientation or a hanging orientation, then the term closed fill height does not apply to the container.

As used herein, the term “deflation feature” refers to one or more structural features provided with a flexible container for use in deflating some or all of the expanded structural support volume(s) of the flexible container, by allowing expansion material(s) inside of the structural support volume to escape into the environment, so that the structural support volume is no longer expanded. A deflation feature can be used when the flexible container is ready to be disposed of (i.e. as waste, compost, and/or recyclable material). Any of the flexible containers disclosed herein can be configured with any number of any kind of deflation feature, configured in any way disclosed herein or known in the art.

One kind of deflation feature is a cutting device, which is a rigid element that includes a point or edge configured to cut and/or pierce through flexible material(s) that form at least part of a structural support volume. As an example, a cutting device can be included with a flexible container by attaching the device to any portion of the outside (e.g. top, middle, side, bottom, etc.) of the container with adhesive, or under a label, or any other way known in the art, for externally attaching rigid elements to a container. As another example, a cutting device can be included with a flexible container by including the device with other packaging material, such as attached to an outer carton, inside of an overwrap layer, in between containers provided together, etc. As still another example, a cutting device can be included with a flexible container by including the device inside of any portion of the container, such as in a product space, in a structural support volume, in a mixing chamber, in a dedicated space for the device, in a base structure, or any other way known in the art, for internally including rigid elements within a container. As yet another example, a cutting device can be included with a flexible container, by making the cutting device integral with or detachable from another rigid element that is part of the container, such as a rigid base structure, cap, dispenser, fitment, connecting element, reinforcing element, or any other rigid element for containers disclosed herein or known in the art. A cutting device can be configured to be any convenient size and any workable shape and can be used manually or through use of a tool. In addition to rigid elements, flexible materials that can be turned into a rigid cutting device through rolling up or folding flexible materials are also envisioned.

Another kind of deflation feature is an exit channel, which can be configured to be opened in material(s) that border or define at least a portion of the fillable space of a structural support volume. An exit channel can be an existing connection (e.g. seam, seal, or joint) in the container, which is configured to fail (e.g. separate and at least partially open) when exposed to opening forces. An exit channel can also be formed with one or more points, lines, and/or areas of weakness (e.g. thinned, scored, perforated, frangible seal, etc.), which are configured to fail or to otherwise be breached, when exposed to opening forces. An exit channel can be protected by another material, such as an adhesive label, to ensure the exit channel remains closed until the user wishes to deflate. An exit channel can further be formed by configuring the container with one or more tear initiation sites (such as a notch in an edge, a pull-tab, etc.) such that a tear propagating from the site(s) can open the flexible material. An exit channel can be configured to be any convenient size and any workable shape and can be opened manually (by grasping and pulling, by poking with a finger or fingernail, or any other way) or through use of a tool or by overpressurizing a structural support volume (through application of compressive force or controlled environmental conditions) such that the structural support volume fails when its expansion material(s) burst out.

Still another kind of deflation feature is a valve, connected to the fillable space of a structural support volume, wherein the valve can be opened to the container's environment. Embodiments of the present disclosure can use as a deflation feature, any and all embodiments of valves (including materials, structures, and/or features for valves, as well as any and all methods of making and/or using such valves), as disclosed in the following patent documents: U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/379,655 filed Jun. 21, 2010, entitled “Collapsible Bottle, Method Of Manufacturing a Blank For Such Bottle and Beverage-Filled Bottle Dispensing System” in the name of Reidl, published as US2012/0097634; U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/246,893 filed Sep. 19, 2002, entitled “Bubble-Seal Apparatus for Easily Opening a Sealed Package” in the name of Perell, et al., published as 20040057638; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,528 filed Dec. 16, 2002, entitled “Package having an inflated frame” in the name of Ferri, et al., granted on Sep. 8, 2009; each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As used herein, the term “directly connected” refers to a configuration wherein elements are attached to each other without any intermediate elements therebetween, except for any means of attachment (e.g. adhesive).

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “dispenser” refers to a structure configured to dispense fluent product(s) from a product space and/or from a mixing volume to the environment outside of the container. For any of the flexible containers disclosed herein, any dispenser can be configured in any way disclosed herein or known in the art, including any suitable size, shape, and flow rate. For example, a dispenser can be a push-pull type dispenser, a dispenser with a flip-top cap, a dispenser with a screw-on cap, a rotatable type dispenser, dispenser with a cap, a pump type dispenser, a pump spray type dispenser, a trigger spray type dispenser, a straw dispenser, a flip up straw dispenser, a straw dispenser with bite valve, a dosing dispenser, etc. A dispenser can be a parallel dispenser, providing multiple flow channels in fluid communication with multiple product spaces, wherein those flow channels remain separate until the point of dispensing, thus allowing fluent products from multiple product spaces to be dispensed as separate fluent products, dispensed together at the same time. A dispenser can be a mixing dispenser, providing one or more flow channels in fluid communication with multiple product spaces, with multiple flow channels combined before the point of dispensing, thus allowing fluent products from multiple product spaces to be dispensed as the fluent products mixed together. As another example, a dispenser can be formed by a frangible opening. As further examples, a dispenser can utilize one or more valves and/or dispensing mechanisms disclosed in the art, such as those disclosed in: published US patent application 2003/0096068, entitled “One-way valve for inflatable package”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,016 entitled “Self-sealing container”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,717, entitled “Package having a fluid actuated closure”; each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Still further, any of the dispensers disclosed herein, may be incorporated into a flexible container either directly, or in combination with one or more other materials or structures (such as a fitment), or in any way known in the art. In some alternate embodiments, dispensers disclosed herein can be configured for both dispensing and filling, to allow filling of product space(s) through one or more dispensers. In other alternate embodiments, a product space can include one or more filling structure(s) (e.g. for adding water to a mixing volume) in addition to or instead of one or more dispenser(s). Any location for a dispenser, disclosed herein can alternatively be used as a location for a filling structure. In some embodiments, a product space can include one or more filling structures in addition to any dispenser(s). And, any location for a dispenser, disclosed herein can alternatively be used as a location for an opening, through which product can be filled and/or dispensed, wherein the opening may be reclosable or non-reclosable, and can be configured in any way known in the art of packaging. For example, an opening can be: a line of weakness, which can be torn open; a zipper seal, which can be pulled open and pressed closed (e.g. a press seal), or opened and closed with a slider; openings with adhesive-based closures; openings with cohesive-based closures; openings with closures having fasteners (e.g. snaps, tin tie, etc.), openings with closures having micro-sized fasteners (e.g. with opposing arrays of interlocking fastening elements, such as hook, loops, and/or other mating elements, etc.), and any other kind of opening for packages or containers, with or without a closure, known in the art.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “disposable” refers to a container which, after dispensing a product to an end user, is not configured to be refilled with an additional amount of the product, but is configured to be disposed of (i.e. as waste, compost, and/or recyclable material). Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be disposable.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “durable” refers to a container that is reusable more than non-durable containers.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “effective base contact area” refers to a particular area defined by a portion of the bottom of the container, when the container is configured for retail sale and is standing upright and its bottom is resting on a horizontal support surface, determined as described below. The effective base contact area lies in a plane defined by the horizontal support surface. The effective base contact area is a continuous area bounded on all sides by an outer periphery.

The outer periphery is formed from an actual contact area and from a series of projected areas from defined cross-sections taken at the bottom of the container. The actual contact area is the one or more portions of the bottom of the container that contact the horizontal support surface, when the effective base contact area is defined. The effective base contact area includes all of the actual contact area. However, in some embodiments, the effective base contact area may extend beyond the actual contact area.

The series of projected area are formed from five horizontal cross-sections, taken at the bottom of the flexible container. These cross-sections are taken at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% of the overall height. The outer extent of each of these cross-sections is projected vertically downward onto the horizontal support surface to form five (overlapping) projected areas, which, together with the actual contact area, form a single combined area. This is not a summing up of the values for these areas, but is the formation of a single combined area that includes all of these (projected and actual) areas, overlapping each other, wherein any overlapping portion makes only one contribution to the single combined area.

The outer periphery of the effective base contact area is formed as described below. In the following description, the terms convex, protruding, concave, and recessed are understood from the perspective of points outside of and around the combined area. The outer periphery is formed by a combination of the outer extent of the combined area and any chords, which are straight line segments constructed as described below.

For each continuous portion of the combined area that has an outer perimeter with a shape that is concave or recessed, a chord is constructed across that portion. This chord is the shortest straight line segment that can be drawn tangent to the combined area on both sides of the concave/recessed portion.

For a combined area that is discontinuous (formed by two or more separate portions), one or more chords are constructed around the outer perimeter of the combined area, across the one or more discontinuities (open spaces disposed between the portions). These chords are straight line segments drawn tangent to the outermost separate portions of the combined area. These chords are drawn to create the largest possible effective base contact area.

Thus, the outer periphery is formed by a combination of the outer extent of the combined area and any chords, constructed as described above, which all together enclose the effective base area. Any chords that are bounded by the combined area and/or one or more other chords, are not part of the outer periphery and should be ignored.

Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have an effective base contact area from 1 to 50,000 square centimeters (cm²), or any integer value for cm²between 1 and 50,000 cm², or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 2 to 25,000 cm², 3 to 10,000 cm², 4 to 5,000 cm², 5 to 2,500 cm², from 10 to 1,000 cm², from 20 to 500 cm², from 30 to 300 cm², from 40 to 200 cm², or from 50 to 100 cm², etc.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can have an effective base contact area that is about, approximately, substantially, or nearly the same in size and/or shape.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “expanded” refers to the state of one or more flexible materials that are configured to be formed into a structural support volume, after the structural support volume is made rigid by one or more expansion materials. An expanded structural support volume has an overall width that is significantly greater than the combined thickness of its one or more flexible materials, before the structural support volume is filled with the one or more expansion materials. Examples of expansion materials include liquids (e.g. water), gases (e.g. compressed air), fluent products, foams (that can expand after being added into a structural support volume), co-reactive materials (that produce gas), or phase change materials (that can be added in solid or liquid form, but which turn into a gas; for example, liquid nitrogen or dry ice), or other suitable materials known in the art, or combinations of any of these (e.g. fluent product and liquid nitrogen). In various embodiments, expansion materials can be added at atmospheric pressure, or added under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, or added to provide a material change that will increase pressure to something above atmospheric pressure. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, its one or more flexible materials can be expanded at various points in time, with respect to its manufacture, sale, and use, including, for example: before or after its product space(s) are filled with fluent product(s), before or after the flexible container is shipped to a seller, and before or after the flexible container is purchased by an end user.

As used herein, when referring to a container for retail sale of one or more fluent products, the term “external amount indicium” refers to an indicium that is joined to the container, that is visible from outside of the container, and that indicates a listed amount of fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container. The indicium can be any kind of indicium described herein or known in the art. In various embodiments, the indicium can be a particular value in various units of measurement (e.g. milliliters and/or fluid ounces for a fluent product that is a liquid; grams and/or ounces of weight for a fluent product that is a pourable solid). In various embodiments, the indicium can be for a particular product size that is associated with a particular amount of fluent product being offered for sale. The indicium can be provided on a label or as printing or in any other form described herein or known in the art. The indicium can be joined to an outside of the container or joined to an inside of the container (and visible through a transparent portion of the container), or on secondary packaging connected to the container. Alternatively, instead of being joined to the container, the indicium can be presented as part of a merchandising display for the container or can be communicated via advertising materials. An external amount indicium is typically applied to a container by the manufacturer of the product or by a retailer of the product.

Although a manufacturer may earnestly endeavor to make products that are properly filled and accurately labeled, there may be some limited instances, in which a container may contain an actual amount of fluent product that is not exactly equal to the listed amount of fluent product indicated by its external amount indicium. As a first example, a manufacturer may intentionally overfill containers, in an attempt to make up for projected losses of fluent product (from evaporation) during their shelf life. As a second example, a manufacturer may experience variability in the filling of containers, resulting in a few containers having actual amounts of fluent product that vary somewhat from a targeted amount of fill. As a third example, a retailer may unintentionally sell a product that has passed its expected shelf life, and has experienced a larger than projected loss of fluent product (from evaporation). Despite these limited instances, a container offered for retail sale typically contains an actual amount of fluent product that is nearly equal to the listed amount of fluent product indicated by its external amount indicium.

As used herein, when referring to a product space of a flexible container, the term “filled” refers to the state of the product space in the container (which is fully manufactured) after the filling of its product space(s) with fluent product(s) is complete and the container is fully closed and/or sealed, wherein the container has not been opened or unsealed, and wherein the fluent product(s) in the container have not been put into its/their intended end use.

A filled product space may or may not include an allowance for headspace, depending on the kind of fluent product(s) being contained, and the requirements for containing the fluent product(s). As an example, a manufacturer can label a flexible container with an external amount indicium that indicates a listed amount of a fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container, can add to the product space of the container an actual amount of the fluent product that is nearly equal to the listed amount (but still includes a headspace that is designed for that fluent product in that product space), and can close the container so the container is configured for retail sale; that container is considered filled. As used herein, the term filled can be modified by using the term filled with a particular percentage value.

As used herein, the term “flat” refers to a surface that is without significant projections or depressions.

As used herein, the term “flexible container” refers to a container with a product space, wherein one or more flexible materials form 50-100% of the overall surface area of the one or more materials that define the three-dimensional space of the product space. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, the flexible container can be configured to have a product space, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall area of the one or more materials that define the three-dimensional space, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc. One kind of flexible container is a film-based container, which is a flexible container made from one or more flexible materials, which include a film.

For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, the middle of the flexible container (apart from any fluent product) can be configured to have an overall middle mass, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall middle mass, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc.

For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, the entire flexible container (apart from any fluent product) can be configured to have an overall mass, wherein one or more flexible materials form a particular percentage of the overall mass, and the particular percentage is any integer value for percentage between 50% and 100%, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: 60-100%, or 70-100%, or 80-100%, or 90-100%, etc.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “flexible material” refers to a thin, easily deformable, sheet-like material, having a flexibility factor within the range of 1,000-2,500,000 N/m. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any of the flexible materials can be configured to have a flexibility factor of 1,000-2,500,000 N/m, or any integer value for flexibility factor from 1,000-2,500,000 N/m, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 1,000-1,500,000 N/m, 1,500-1,000,000 N/m, 2,500-800,000 N/m, 5,000-700,000 N/m, 10,000-600,000 N/m, 15,000-500,000 N/m, 20,000-400,000 N/m, 25,000-300,000 N/m, 30,000-200,000 N/m, 35,000-100,000 N/m, 40,000-90,000 N/m, or 45,000-85,000 N/m, etc. Throughout the present disclosure the terms “flexible material”, “flexible sheet”, “sheet”, and “sheet-like material” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning. Examples of materials that can be flexible materials include one or more of any of the following: films (such as plastic films), elastomers, foamed sheets, foils, fabrics (including wovens and nonwovens), biosourced materials, and papers, in any configuration, as separate material(s), or as layer(s) of a laminate, or as part(s) of a composite material, in a microlayered or nanolayered structure, and in any combination, as described herein or as known in the art.

As examples, flexible materials such as films and nonwovens can be made from one or more thermoplastic polymers, as described herein and/or as known in the art. Thermoplastic polymers can include polyolefins such as polyethylene and/or copolymers thereof, including low density, high density, linear low density, or ultra low density polyethylenes. Polypropylene and/or polypropylene copolymers, including atactic polypropylene; isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, and/or combinations thereof can also be used. Polybutylene is also a useful polyolefin.

Other suitable polymers include polyamides or copolymers thereof, such as Nylon 6, Nylon 11, Nylon 12, Nylon 46, Nylon 66; polyesters and/or copolymers thereof, such as maleic anhydride polypropylene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate; olefin carboxylic acid copolymers such as ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/maleic acid copolymer, ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or combinations thereof; polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and/or their copolymers such as poly(methyl methacrylates).

Other nonlimiting examples of polymers include polyesters, polycarbonates, polyvinyl acetates, poly(oxymethylene), styrene copolymers, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, poly(methyl methacrylates), polystyrene/methyl methacrylate copolymers, polyetherimides, polysulfones, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, thermoplastic polymers can include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene acrylic acid, polyolefin carboxylic acid copolymers, polyesters, and/or combinations thereof.

Biodegradable thermoplastic polymers also are contemplated for use herein.

A thermoplastic polymer component of a flexible material can be a single polymer species as described above or a blend of two or more thermoplastic polymers as described above.

Also as examples, flexible materials can further include one or more additives, as described herein and/or as known in the art. Non-limiting examples of classes of such additives include perfumes, dyes, pigments, nanoparticles, antistatic agents, fillers, photoactives, and other classes of additives known in the art, and combinations. The films disclosed herein can contain a single additive or a mixture of any number of additives.

Thermoplastic polymers, and their variations, as disclosed herein can be formed into a film and can comprise many different configurations, depending on the film properties desired. The properties of the film can be manipulated by varying, for example, the thickness, or in the case of multilayered films, the number of layers, the chemistry of the layers, i.e., hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and the types of polymers used to form the polymeric layers. The films disclosed herein can be multi-layer films. For multi-layer films, each respective layer can be made from any material disclosed herein or known in the art, in any manner disclosed herein or known in the art.

Furthermore, the films can comprise other additives, such as other polymers materials (e.g., a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a ethylene vinyl acetate, a polymethylpentene any combination thereof, or the like), a filler (e.g., glass, talc, calcium carbonate, or the like), a mold release agent, a flame retardant, an electrically conductive agent, an anti-static agent, a pigment, an antioxidant, an impact modifier, a stabilizer (e.g., a UV absorber), wetting agents, dyes, a film anti-static agent or any combination thereof. Film antistatic agents include cationic, anionic, and/or, nonionic agents. Cationic agents include ammonium, phosphonium and sulphonium cations, with alkyl group substitutions and an associated anion such as chloride, methosulphate, or nitrate. Anionic agents contemplated include alkylsulphonates. Nonionic agents include polyethylene glycols, organic stearates, organic amides, glycerol monostearate (GMS), alkyl di-ethanolamides, and ethoxylated amines. Other filler materials can comprise fibers, structural reinforcing agents, and all types of biosourced materials such as oils (hydrogenated soy bean oil), fats, starch, etc.

For any of the flexible materials, materials that are safe/approved for food contact may be selected. Additionally, materials that are approved for medical usage, or materials that can be sterilized through retort, autoclave, or radiation treatment, or other sterilization processes known in the art, may be used.

In various embodiments, part, parts, or all of a flexible material can be coated or uncoated, treated or untreated, processed or unprocessed, in any manner known in the art. In various embodiments, parts, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of a flexible material can made of sustainable, bio-sourced, recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable material. Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the flexible materials described herein can be partially or completely translucent, partially or completely transparent, or partially or completely opaque.

With regard to films and elastomers for use as flexible materials, these can be formed in any manner known in the art, such as casting, extruding (blown or flat; singly or with coextrusion), calendering, depositing solution(s), skiving, etc. then slitting, cutting, and/or converting the films and/or elastomers into the desired sizes or shapes, as sheets or webs, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. With regard to blown films, multiple processes can be used including: collapsed bubble to create a blocked film, and double and or triple bubble processes. Flexible materials may further be subjected to any number or orienting, tenter frame, tenter hook, stretching, or activation processes. With regard to foamed sheets for use as flexible materials, these can be formed in any manner known in the art, by mixing base ingredients, adding the foaming mixture to a mold or shaping apparatus, then curing, cutting, and/or converting the foam into the desired sizes or shapes, as sheets or webs. With regard to nonwoven fabrics, these can be formed in any manner known in the art using spunbonded fibers and/or meltblown fibers, staple-length and/or continuous fibers, with any layering, mixing, or other combination known in the art. Other materials listed herein for use as flexible materials can be made in any manner known in the art.

The flexible materials used to make the containers disclosed herein can be formed in any manner known in the art, and can be joined together using any kind of joining or sealing method known in the art, including, for example, heat sealing (e.g. conductive sealing, impulse sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.), welding, crimping, bonding, adhering, and the like, and combinations of any of these.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can be made from one or more flexible materials that are similar or the same, including any of the materials described herein or known in the art, in any suitable form.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “flexibility factor” refers to a material parameter for a thin, easily deformable, sheet-like material, wherein the parameter is measured in Newtons per meter, and the flexibility factor is equal to the product of the value for the Young's modulus of the material (measured in Pascals) and the value for the overall thickness of the material (measured in meters).

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “fluent product” refers to one or more liquids and/or pourable solids, and combinations thereof. Examples of fluent products include one or more of any of the following: bites, bits, creams, chips, chunks, crumbs, crystals, emulsions, flakes, gels, grains, granules, jellies, kibbles, liquid solutions, liquid suspensions, lotions, nuggets, ointments, particles, particulates, pastes, pieces, pills, powders, salves, shreds, sprinkles, and the like, either individually or in any combination. Throughout the present disclosure the terms “fluent product” and “flowable product” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning. Any of the product spaces disclosed herein can be configured to include one or more of any fluent product disclosed herein, or known in the art, in any combination.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container the term “folding pattern” refers to all of the folds that are applied to the one or more flexible materials used to make the flexible container, during the making of that flexible container; when applied to the one or more flexible materials, the folding pattern results in a folded configuration for that flexible container.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “formed” refers to the state of one or more materials that are configured to be formed into a product space, after the product space is provided with its defined three-dimensional space.

As used herein, the term “graphic” refers to a visual element intended to provide a decoration or to communicate information. Examples of graphics include one or more of any of the following: colors, patterns, designs, images, and the like. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any surface of the flexible container can include one or more graphics of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the terms “hang,” “hangs,” “hanging,” “hang down,” “hangs down,” and “hanging down” refer to a particular orientation of a self-supporting flexible container that does not have a standing upright orientation, when the container is suspended from a support by a hanging feature that is provided with and/or attached to the flexible container. This hanging down orientation can be determined from the structural features of the container and/or indicia on the container. As an example, if a flexible container has a clearly defined structure that is configured to be used as a hanging feature for the container (e.g. a through-hole, a hook shape, or a hanging structure such as a chain or clip), then the container is hanging down when the container is suspended by this hanging feature while it is engaged with a rigid, cylindrical (having a diameter of 1 centimeter or less), horizontally oriented support, and not contacting anything else. If a hanging orientation cannot be determined from the structural features of the container and/or indicia on the container, then, the container is considered to not have a hanging orientation.

As used herein, the term “headspace” refers to the portion of a filled product space that is not occupied by a fluent product. For example, a headspace can exist above a fill line in a product space.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “height area ratio” refers to a ratio for the container, with units of per centimeter (cm⁻¹), which is equal to the value for the overall height of the container divided by the value for the effective base contact area of the container.

For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any of the flexible containers, can be configured to have a height area ratio from 0.3 to 3.0 per centimeter, or any value in increments of 0.05 cm⁻¹between 0.3 and 3.0 per centimeter, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 0.35 to 2.0 cm⁻¹, from 0.4 to 1.5 cm¹, from 0.4 to 1.2 cm⁻¹, or from 0.45 to 0.9 cm⁻¹, etc.

As used herein, the terms “indicium” and “indicia” refer to one or more of characters, graphics, branding, or other visual elements, in any combination. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any surface of the flexible container can include one or more indicia of any size, shape, or configuration, disclosed herein or known in the art, in any combination.

As used herein, the term “indirectly connected” refers to a configuration wherein elements are attached to each other with one or more intermediate elements therebetween.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container with a structural support frame the term “internal expansion pressure” refers to the pressure within an expanded structural support volume, measured under ambient conditions and at atmospheric pressure.

As used herein, the term “joined” refers to a configuration wherein elements are either directly connected or indirectly connected.

As used herein, the term “lateral” refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to a lateral centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright or hanging down from a support, as described herein. A lateral orientation may also be referred to a “horizontal” orientation, and a lateral measurement may also be referred to as a “width.”

As used herein, the term “like-numbered” refers to similar alphanumeric labels for corresponding elements, as described below. Like-numbered elements have labels with the same last two digits; for example, one element with a label ending in thedigits20 and another element with a label ending in thedigits20 are like-numbered. Like-numbered elements can have labels with a differing first digit, wherein that first digit matches the number for its figure; as an example, an element ofFIG. 3 labeled320 and an element ofFIG. 4 labeled420 are like-numbered. Like-numbered elements can have labels with a suffix (i.e. the portion of the label following the dash symbol) that is the same or possibly different (e.g. corresponding with a particular embodiment); for example, a first embodiment of an element inFIG. 3A labeled320-aand a second embodiment of an element inFIG. 3B labeled320-b, are like numbered.

As used herein, the term “listed amount” refers to a particular amount of a fluent product that is being offered for sale with a container, as indicated on an external amount indicium for that container, when the container is configured for retail sale.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to a longitudinal centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface or hanging down from a support, as described herein. A longitudinal orientation may also be referred to a “vertical” orientation. When expressed in relation to a horizontal support surface for a container, a longitudinal measurement may also be referred to as a “height”, measured above the horizontal support surface.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “middle” refers to the portion of the container that is located in between the top of the container and the bottom of the container. As used herein, the term middle can be modified by describing the term middle with reference to a particular percentage value for the top and/or a particular percentage value for the bottom. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, a reference to the middle of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the portion of the container that is located between any particular percentage value for the top, disclosed herein, and/or any particular percentage value for the bottom, disclosed herein, in any combination.

As used herein, the term “mixing volume” refers to a type chamber that is configured to receive one or more fluent product(s) from one or more product spaces and/or from the environment outside of the container.

As used herein, when referring to a product space, the term “multiple dose” refers to a chamber that is sized to contain a particular amount of product that is about equal to two or more units of typical consumption, application, or use by an end user. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have one or more multiple dose product spaces. A container with only one product space, which is a multiple dose product space, is referred to herein as a “multiple dose container.”

As used herein, the term “nearly” modifies a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus five percent (+/−5%). For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/−5%).

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “non-durable” refers to a container that is temporarily reusable, or disposable, or single use.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “non-fluent product” refers to materials, products, and/or articles that are not liquids, pourable solids, or combinations or liquids and pourable solids. Any of the flexible containers disclosed herein can be configured for packaging one or more of any non-fluent product disclosed herein, or known in the art, in any combination. When used for non-fluent products, flexible containers, as disclosed herein, can provide benefits associated with partly or fully supporting and/or enclosing the non-fluent product with primary and/or secondary packaging that includes one or more structural support volumes, one or more structural support members, and/or one or more structural support frames; for example, so the non-fluent product can be supported and/or enclosed by packaging that is self-supporting and/or standing upright, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “nonstructural panel” refers to a layer of one or more adjacent sheets of flexible material, the layer having an outermost major surface that faces outward, toward the environment outside of the flexible container, and an innermost major surface that faces inward, toward one or more product spaces disposed within the flexible container; a nonstructural panel is configured such that, the layer, does not independently provide substantial support in making the container self-supporting and/or standing upright.

As used herein, the term “open fill height” refers to a distance that is measured (as described below) for a container that was configured for retail sale, immediately after the product space is opened and (if applicable) unsealed for the first time, but before any of the fluent product in the product space has been mixed, dispensed, and/or used, and before anything has been added into any part of the container. The open fill height is measured while the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, and is measured vertically from the upper side of the support surface to a fill line in a product space of the container. If a container does not have a standing upright orientation but does have a hanging orientation, then the open fill height is measured while the container is hanging down from a support, and is measured vertically from the lowest point on the container to a fill line in a product space of the container.

As used herein, the term “overall front profile” refers to a full-scale size and shape of an outline of a flexible container (excluding any secondary packaging and any removable portions, such as a cap, which are removed from the container before the overall front profile is determined), when the container is configured for retail sale, wherein the overall front profile is determined when a front of the container is directly viewed straight-on toward the container's center, determined as described below. If the flexible container is a stand up container, then the overall front profile is determined while the container is standing up. If an overall front profile of a first container (that is not a stand up container) is being compared with an overall front profile of a second container (that is not a stand up container), then each overall front profile is determined with its container oriented in the same way. An exemplary overall side profile is illustrated inFIG. 22B.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “overall height” refers to a distance that is measured (as described below) when the container is configured for retail sale; the overall height excludes any secondary packaging and any removable portions, such as a cap, which are removed from the container before the overall height is determined, as described below. If the flexible container is a stand up container, then the overall height is measured while the container is standing upright on a horizontal support surface, the distance measured vertically from the upper side of the support surface to a point on the top of the container, which is farthest away from the upper side of the support surface. If a container does not have a standing upright orientation but does have a hanging orientation, then the overall height is measured while the container is hanging down from a support, the distance measured vertically from the lowest point on the container to the highest point on the container. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall height from 2.0 cm to 100.0 cm, or any value in increments of 0.1 cm between 2.0 and 100.0 cm, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 4.0 to 90.0 cm, from 5.0 to 80.0 cm, from 6.0 to 70.0 cm, from 7.0 to 60.0 cm, from 8.0 to 50.0 cm, from 9.0 to 40.0 cm, or from 10.0 to 30.0, etc.

As used herein, the term “overall set of printed external indicia” refers to all of the indicia on the one or more flexible materials of a flexible container that is configured for retail sale, wherein these indicia are visible from outside of the flexible container (with any secondary packaging and any removable portions, such as a cap, removed from the container), except that the overall set of printed external indicia excludes the following: any listed amount of any product(s) in the container, and any uniquely identifying indicia for manufacturer and/or retail use (such as a bar code, scan code, universal product code, stock-keeping-unit, etc.).

As used herein, the term “overall side profile” refers to a full-scale size and shape of an outline of a flexible container (excluding any secondary packaging and any removable portions, such as a cap, which are removed from the container before the overall side profile is determined), when the container is configured for retail sale, wherein the overall side profile is determined when a side of the container is directly viewed straight-on toward the container's center, determined as described below. If the flexible container is a stand up container, then the overall side profile is determined while the container is standing up. If an overall side profile of a first particular container (that is not a stand up container) is being compared with an overall side profile of a second particular container (that is not a stand up container), then each overall side profile is determined from the same side (left or right) with its container oriented in the same way. An exemplary overall side profile is illustrated inFIG. 22C.

As used herein, when referring to a sheet of flexible material, the term “overall thickness” refers to a linear dimension measured perpendicular to the outer major surfaces of the sheet, when the sheet is lying flat. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, in various embodiments, any of the flexible materials can be configured to have an overall thickness 5-500 micrometers (μm), or any integer value for micrometers from 5-500, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 10-500 μm, 20-400 μm, 30-300 μm, 40-200 μm, 50-100 μm, or 50-150 μm, etc.

As used herein, the term “product space” refers to an enclosable three-dimensional space that is configured to receive and directly contain one or more fluent product(s), wherein that space is defined by one or more materials that form a barrier that prevents the fluent product(s) from escaping the product space. By directly containing the one or more fluent products, the fluent products come into contact with the materials that form the enclosable three-dimensional space; there is no intermediate material or container, which prevents such contact. Throughout the present disclosure the terms “product space,” “product volume,” and “product receiving volume” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have any number of product spaces including one product space, two product spaces, three product spaces, four product spaces, five product spaces, six product spaces, or even more product spaces. In some embodiments, one or more product spaces can be enclosed within another product space. Any of the product spaces disclosed herein can have a product space of any size, including from 0.001 liters to 100.0 liters, or any value in increments of 0.001 liters between 0.001 liters and 3.0 liters, or any value in increments of 0.01 liters between 3.0 liters and 10.0 liters, or any value in increments of 1.0 liters between 10.0 liters and 100.0 liters, or within any range formed by any of the preceding values, such as: from 0.001 to 2.2 liters, 0.01 to 2.0 liters, 0.05 to 1.8 liters, 0.1 to 1.6 liters, 0.15 to 1.4 liters, 0.2 to 1.2 liters, 0.25 to 1.0 liters, etc. A product space can have any shape in any orientation. A product space can be included in a container that has a structural support frame, and a product space can be included in a container that does not have a structural support frame.

As used herein, the term “product viewing portion” refers to a portion of a flexible container, which is partially and/or fully transparent and/or translucent, such that, when a product space of the container contains distilled water, at least a portion of a fill line for the water can be seen through the product viewing portion, from outside of the flexible container, by an unaided human with normal vision.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “resting on a horizontal support surface” refers to the container resting directly on the horizontal support surface, without other support.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container for retail sale, the term “configured for retail sale” refers to a flexible container that is fully manufactured and its product space(s) is/are filled with fluent product(s) and the container is fully closed and/or sealed and the container is in condition to be purchased by an end user (e.g. a consumer), wherein the container has not been opened or unsealed, and wherein the fluent product(s) in the container have not been put into its/their intended end use.

As used herein, the term “sealed,” when referring to a product space, refers to a state of the product space wherein fluent products within the product space are prevented from escaping the product space (e.g. by one or more materials that form a barrier, and by a seal), and the product space is hermetically sealed.

As used herein, the term “sealed closed,” when referring to a product space, refers to a state of the product space that is both closed and sealed.

As used herein, the term “sealed closed fill height” refers to a closed fill height that is measured while the product space is sealed closed.

As used herein, the term “sealed closed headspace pressure” refers to a measured pressure of headspace in a product space that is sealed closed,

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container the term “sealing pattern” refers to all of the seals that are applied to the one or more flexible materials used to make a flexible container, during the making of that flexible container; when applied to the one or more flexible materials, the sealing pattern results in a sealed configuration for that flexible container.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “self-supporting” refers to a container that includes a product space and a structural support frame, wherein, when the container is resting on a horizontal support surface, in at least one orientation, the structural support frame is configured to prevent the container from collapsing and to give the container an overall height that is significantly greater than the combined thickness of the materials that form the container, even when the product space is unfilled. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be self-supporting. As examples, self-supporting flexible containers of the present disclosure can be used to form pillow packs, pouches, doy packs, sachets, tubes, boxes, tubs, cartons, flow wraps, gusseted packs, jugs, bottles, jars, bags in boxes, trays, hanging packs, blister packs, or any other forms known in the art.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “single use” refers to a closed container which, after being opened by an end user, is not configured to be reclosed. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be single use.

As used herein, when referring to a product space, the term “single dose” refers to a product space that is sized to contain a particular amount of product that is about equal to one unit of typical consumption, application, or use by an end user. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to have one or more single dose product spaces. A container with only one product space, which is a single dose product space, is referred to herein as a “single dose container.”

As used herein, the term “squeeze panel” refers to a nonstructural panel that is under tension generated and maintained across the nonstructural panel by one or more structural support volumes, when expanded.

As used herein, the term “squeeze panel profile” refers to a full-scale size and shape of an outer extent of a squeeze panel of a flexible container, when the container is configured for retail sale, wherein the squeeze panel profile is determined when a front or a back of the container is directly viewed straight-on toward the container's center, determined as described below. If the flexible container is a stand up container, then the squeeze panel profile is determined while the container is standing up. If a squeeze panel profile of a first particular container (that is not a stand up container) is being compared with a squeeze panel profile of a second particular container (that is not a stand up container), then each squeeze panel profile is determined with its container oriented in the same way. An exemplary squeeze panel profile is illustrated inFIG. 22A.

As used herein, the term “side profile central depth measurement” refers to a dimension of a stand up flexible container, when the container is configured for retail sale, wherein the dimension is measured while the flexible container is standing up, and is measured linearly from a longitudinal centerline of the container, parallel to a third centerline of the container, to a farthest point on the squeeze panel profile of the container, in a front or a back of the container. A front side profile central depth measurement refers to a side profile central depth measurement measured to a portion of a squeeze panel profile in a front of the container. A back side profile central depth measurement refers to a side profile central depth measurement measured to a portion of a squeeze panel profile in a back of the container.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the terms “stand up,” “stands up,” “standing up”, “stand upright”, “stands upright”, and “standing upright” refer to a particular orientation of a self-supporting flexible container, when the container is resting on a horizontal support surface. This standing upright orientation can be determined from the structural features of the container and/or indicia on the container. In a first determining test, if the flexible container has a clearly defined base structure that is configured to be used on the bottom of the container, then the container is determined to be standing upright when this base structure is resting on the horizontal support surface. If the first test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, in a second determining test, the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the indicia on the flexible container are best positioned in an upright orientation. If the second test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, in a third determining test, the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the container has the largest overall height. If the third test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, in a fourth determining test, the container is determined to be standing upright when the container is oriented to rest on the horizontal support surface such that the container has the largest height area ratio. If the fourth test cannot determine the standing upright orientation, then, the container is considered to not have a standing upright orientation.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “stand up container” refers to a self-supporting container, wherein, when the container (with all of its product space(s) filled with distilled water to 100% total capacity) is standing up, the container has a height area ratio from 0.4 to 1.5 cm⁻¹. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be stand up containers.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “structural support frame” refers to a rigid structure formed of one or more structural support members, joined together, around one or more sizable empty spaces and/or one or more nonstructural panels, and generally used as a major support for the product space(s) in the flexible container and in making the container self-supporting and/or standing upright. In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, when a flexible container includes a structural support frame and one or more product spaces, the structural support frame is considered to be supporting the product spaces of the container, unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “structural support member” refers to a rigid, physical structure, which includes one or more expanded structural support volumes, and which is configured to be used in a structural support frame, to carry one or more loads (from the flexible container) across a span. A structure that does not include at least one expanded structural support volume, is not considered to be a structural support member, as used herein.

A structural support member has two defined ends, a middle between the two ends, and an overall length from its one end to its other end. A structural support member can have one or more cross-sectional areas, each of which has an overall width that is less than its overall length.

In some embodiments, a structural support member can include a number of different kinds of elements. For example, a structural support member can include one or more structural support volumes along with one or more mechanical reinforcing elements (e.g. braces, collars, connectors, joints, ribs, etc.), which can be made from one or more rigid (e.g. solid) materials.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “structural support volume” refers to a fillable space made from one or more flexible materials, wherein the space is configured to be at least partially filled with one or more expansion materials, which create tension in the one or more flexible materials, and form an expanded structural support volume. One or more expanded structural support volumes can be configured to be included in a structural support member. A structural support volume is distinct from structures configured in other ways, such as: structures without a fillable space (e.g. an open space), structures made from inflexible (e.g. solid) materials, structures with spaces that are not configured to be filled with an expansion material (e.g. an unattached area between adjacent layers in a multi-layer panel), and structures with flexible materials that are not configured to be expanded by an expansion material (e.g. a space in a structure that is configured to be a non-structural panel). Notably, in various embodiments, any spaces defined by the unattached area between adjacent layers in a multi-layer panel may contain any gas or vapor composition of single or multiple chemistries including air, nitrogen or a gas composition comprising, as examples, greater than 80% nitrogen, greater than 20% carbon dioxide, greater than 10% of a noble gas, less than 15% oxygen; the gas or vapor contained in such spaces may include water vapor at a relative humidity of 0-100%, or any integer percentage value in this range. Throughout the present disclosure the terms “structural support volume” and “expandable chamber” are used interchangeably and are intended to have the same meaning.

In some embodiments, a structural support frame can include a plurality of structural support volumes, wherein some of or all of the structural support volumes are in fluid communication with each other. In other embodiments, a structural support frame can include a plurality of structural support volumes, wherein some of or none of the structural support volumes are in fluid communication with each other. Any of the structural support frames of the present disclosure can be configured to have any kind of fluid communication disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term “substantially” modifies a particular value, by referring to a range equal to the particular value, plus or minus ten percent (+/−10%). For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, any disclosure of a particular value, can, in various alternate embodiments, also be understood as a disclosure of a range equal to approximately that particular value (i.e. +/−10%).

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “temporarily reusable” refers to a container which, after dispensing a product to an end user, is configured to be refilled with an additional amount of a product, up to ten times, before the container experiences a failure that renders it unsuitable for receiving, containing, or dispensing the product. As used herein, the term temporarily reusable can be further limited by modifying the number of times that the container can be refilled before the container experiences such a failure. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, a reference to temporarily reusable can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to temporarily reusable by refilling up to eight times before failure, by refilling up to six times before failure, by refilling up to four times before failure, or by refilling up to two times before failure, or any integer value for refills between one and ten times before failure. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, can be configured to be temporarily reusable, for the number of refills disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term “thickness” refers to a measurement that is parallel to a third centerline of a container, when the container is standing upright or hanging down from a support, as described herein. A thickness may also be referred to as a “depth.”

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “top” refers to the portion of the container that is located in the uppermost 20% of the overall height of the container, that is, from 80-100% of the overall height of the container. As used herein, the term top can be further limited by modifying the term top with a particular percentage value, which is less than 20%. For any of the embodiments of flexible containers, disclosed herein, a reference to the top of the container can, in various alternate embodiments, refer to the top 15% (i.e. from 85-100% of the overall height), the top 10% (i.e. from 90-100% of the overall height), or the top 5% (i.e. from 95-100% of the overall height), or any integer value for percentage between 0% and 20%.

As used herein, when referring to a product space of a flexible container, the term “total capacity” refers to a maximum amount of distilled water that the product space can hold (without overflowing) under ambient conditions and at atmospheric pressure (and without pressurized filling), when the container is standing upright. If a container does not have a standing upright orientation but does have a hanging orientation, then the term total capacity refers to a maximum amount of distilled water that the product space can hold (without overflowing) under ambient conditions and at atmospheric pressure (and without pressurized filling), while the container is hanging down from a support. The total capacity of a particular flexible container can be empirically determined using this definition. As used herein, the term total capacity can be modified by using the term filled with a particular percentage value.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “unexpanded” refers to the state of one or more materials that are configured to be formed into a structural support volume, before the structural support volume is made rigid by an expansion material.

As used herein, when referring to a product space of a flexible container, the term “unfilled” refers to the state of the product space when it does not contain a fluent product.

As used herein, when referring to a flexible container, the term “unformed” refers to the state of one or more materials that are configured to be formed into a product space, before the product space is provided with its defined three-dimensional space. For example, an article of manufacture could be a container blank with an unformed product space, wherein sheets of flexible material, with portions joined together, are laying flat against each other.

As used herein, when referring to a product space of a flexible container, the term “vented” refers to a product space that is in fluid communication with the environment outside of the container such that the product space (e.g. a headspace within the product space) can equalize with the pressure of the environment.

Flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across a variety of industries for a variety of products. For example, any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across the consumer products industry, including any of the following products, any of which can take any workable fluent product form described herein or known in the art: baby care products (e.g. soaps, shampoos, and lotions); beauty care products for cleaning, treating, beautifying, and/or decorating human or animal hair (e.g. hair shampoos, hair conditioners, hair dyes, hair colorants, hair repair products, hair growth products, hair removal products, hair minimization products, etc.); beauty care products for cleaning, treating, beautifying, and/or decorating human or animal skin (e.g. soaps, body washes, body scrubs, facial cleansers, astringents, sunscreens, sun block lotions, lip balms, cosmetics, skin conditioners, cold creams, skin moisturizers, antiperspirants, deodorants, etc.); beauty care products for cleaning, treating, beautifying, and/or decorating human or animal nails (e.g. nail polishes, nail polish removers, etc.); grooming products for cleaning, treating, beautifying, and/or decorating human facial hair (e.g. shaving products, pre-shaving products, after shaving products, etc.); health care products for cleaning, treating, beautifying, and/or decorating human or animal oral cavities (e.g. toothpaste, mouthwash, breath freshening products, anti-plaque products, tooth whitening products, etc.); health care products for treating human and/or animal health conditions (e.g. medicines, medicaments, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutrient supplements (for calcium, fiber, etc.), cough treatment products, cold remedies, lozenges, treatments for respiratory and/or allergy conditions, pain relievers, sleep aids, gastrointestinal treatment products (for heartburn, upset stomach, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.), purified water, treated water, etc.); pet care products for feeding and/or caring for animals (e.g. pet food, pet vitamins, pet medicines, pet chews, pet treats, etc.); fabric care products for cleaning, conditioning, refreshing and/or treating fabrics, clothes and/or laundry (e.g. laundry detergents, fabric conditioners, fabric dyes, fabric bleaches, etc.); dish care products for home, commercial, and/or industrial use (e.g. dish soaps and rinse aids for hand-washing and/or machine washing); cleaning and/or deodorizing products for home, commercial, and/or industrial use (e.g. soft surface cleaners, hard surface cleaners, glass cleaners, ceramic tile cleaners, carpet cleaner, wood cleaners, multi-surface cleaners, surface disinfectants, kitchen cleaners, bath cleaners (e.g. sink, toilet, tub, and/or shower cleaners), appliance cleaning products, appliance treatment products, car cleaning products, car deodorizing products, air cleaners, air deodorizers, air disinfectants, etc.), and the like.

As further examples, any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across additional areas of home, commercial, and/or industrial, building and/or grounds, construction and/or maintenance, including any of the following products, any of which can take any workable fluent product form (e.g. liquid, granular, powdered, etc.) described herein or known in the art: products for establishing, maintaining, modifying, treating, and/or improving lawns, gardens, and/or grounds (e.g. grass seeds, vegetable seeds, plant seeds, birdseed, other kinds of seeds, plant food, fertilizer, soil nutrients and/or soil conditions (e.g. nitrogen, phosphate, potash, lime, etc.), soil sterilants, herbicides, weed preventers, pesticides, pest repellents, insecticides, insect repellents, etc.); products for landscaping use (e.g. topsoils, potting soils, general use soils, mulches, wood chips, tree bark nuggets, sands, natural stones and/or rocks (e.g. decorative stones, pea gravel, gravel, etc.) of all kinds, man-made compositions based on stones and rocks (e.g. paver bases, etc.)); products for starting and/or fueling fires in grills, fire pits, fireplaces, etc. (e.g. fire logs, fire starting nuggets, charcoal, lighter fluid, matches, etc.); lighting products (e.g. light bulbs and light tubes or all kinds including: incandescents, compact fluorescents, fluorescents, halogens, light emitting diodes, of all sizes, shapes, and uses); chemical products for construction, maintenance, remodeling, and/or decorating (e.g. concretes, cements, mortars, mix colorants, concrete curers/sealants, concrete protectants, grouts, blacktop sealants, crack filler/repair products, spackles, joint compounds, primers, paints, stains, topcoats, sealants, caulks, adhesives, epoxies, drain cleaning/declogging products, septic treatment products, etc.); chemical products (e.g. thinners, solvents, and strippers/removers including alcohols, mineral spirits, turpentines, linseed oils, etc.); water treatment products (e.g. water softening products such as salts, bacteriostats, fungicides, etc.); fasteners of all kinds (e.g. screws, bolts, nuts, washers, nails, staples, tacks, hangers, pins, pegs, rivets, clips, rings, and the like, for use with/in/on wood, metal, plastic, concrete, concrete, etc.); and the like.

As further examples, any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across the food and beverage industry, including any of the following products, any of which can take any workable fluent product form described herein or known in the art: foods such as basic ingredients (e.g. grains such as rice, wheat, corn, beans, and derivative ingredients made from any of these, as well as nuts, seeds, and legumes, etc.), cooking ingredients (e.g. sugar, spices such as salt and pepper, cooking oils, vinegars, tomato pastes, natural and artificial sweeteners, flavorings, seasonings, etc.), baking ingredients (e.g. baking powders, starches, shortenings, syrups, food colorings, fillings, gelatins, chocolate chips and other kinds of chips, frostings, sprinkles, toppings, etc.), dairy foods (e.g. creams, yogurts, sour creams, wheys, caseins, etc.), spreads (e.g. jams, jellies, etc.), sauces (e.g. barbecue sauces, salad dressings, tomato sauces, etc.), condiments (e.g. ketchups, mustards, relishes, mayonnaises, etc.), processed foods (noodles and pastas, dry cereals, cereal mixes, premade mixes, snack chips and snacks and snack mixes of all kinds, pretzels, crackers, cookies, candies, chocolates of all kinds, marshmallows, puddings, etc.); beverages such as water, milks, juices, flavored and/or carbonated beverages (e.g. soda), sports drinks, coffees, teas, spirits, alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine, etc.), etc.; and ingredients for making or mixing into beverages (e.g. coffee beans, ground coffees, cocoas, tea leaves, dehydrated beverages, powders for making beverages, natural and artificial sweeteners, flavorings, etc.). Further, prepared foods, fruits, vegetables, soups, meats, pastas, microwavable and or frozen foods as well as produce, eggs, milk, and other fresh foods. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers disclosed herein can also be sterilized (e.g. by treatment with ultraviolet light or peroxide-based compositions), to make the containers safe for use in storing food and/or beverage. In any embodiment, the containers can be configured to be suitable for retort processes.

As still further examples, any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across the medical industry, in the areas of medicines, medical devices, and medical treatment, including uses for receiving, containing, storing and/or dispensing, any of the following fluent products, in any form known in the art: bodily fluids from humans and/or animals (e.g. amniotic fluid, aqueous humour, vitreous humour, bile, blood, blood plasma, blood serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, cerumen (earwax), chyle, chime, endolymph (and perilymph), ejaculate, runny feces, gastric acid, gastric juice, lymph, mucus (including nasal drainage and phlegm), pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, pus, rheum, saliva, sebum (skin oil), semen, sputum, synovial fluid, tears, sweat, vaginal secretion, vomit, urine, etc.); fluids for intravenous therapy to human or animal bodies (e.g. volume expanders (e.g. crystalloids and colloids), blood-based products including blood substitutes, buffer solutions, liquid-based medications (which can include pharmaceuticals), parenteral nutritional formulas (e.g. for intravenous feeding, wherein such formulas can include salts, glucose, amino acids, lipids, supplements, nutrients, and/or vitamins); other medicinal fluids for administering to human or animal bodies (e.g. medicines, medicaments, nutrients, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, etc.) by any suitable method of administration (e.g. orally (in solid, liquid, or pill form), topically, intranasally, by inhalation, or rectally. Any of the embodiments of flexible containers disclosed herein can also be sterilized (e.g. by treatment with ultraviolet light or peroxide-based compositions or through an autoclave or retort process), to make the containers safe for use in sterile medical environments.

As even further examples, any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, may be used across any and all industries that use internal combustion engines (such as the transportation industry, the power equipment industry, the power generation industry, etc.), including products for vehicles such as cars, trucks, automobiles, boats, aircraft, etc., with such containers useful for receiving, containing, storing, and/or dispensing, any of the following fluent products, in any form known in the art: engine oil, engine oil additives, fuel additives, brake fluids, transmission fluids, engine coolants, power steering fluids, windshield wiper fluids, products for vehicle care (e.g. for body, tires, wheels, windows, trims, upholsteries, etc.), as well as other fluids configured to clean, penetrate, degrease, lubricate, and/or protect one or more parts of any and all kinds of engines, power equipment, and/or transportation vehicles.

Any embodiment of flexible containers, as described herein, can also be used for receiving, containing, storing, and/or dispensing, non-fluent products, in any of the following categories: Baby Care products, including disposable wearable absorbent articles, diapers, training pants, infant and toddler care wipes, etc. and the like; Beauty Care products including applicators for applying compositions to human or animal hair, skin, and/or nails, etc. and the like; Home Care products including wipes and scrubbers for all kinds of cleaning applications and the like; Family Care products including wet or dry bath tissue, facial tissue, disposable handkerchiefs, disposable towels, wipes, etc. and the like; Feminine Care products including catamenial pads, incontinence pads, interlabial pads, panty liners, pessaries, sanitary napkins, tampons, tampon applicators, wipes, etc. and the like; Health Care products including oral care products such as oral cleaning devices, dental floss, flossing devices, toothbrushes, etc. and the like; Pet Care products including grooming aids, pet training aids, pet devices, pet toys, etc. and the like; Portable Power products including electrochemical cells, batteries, battery current interrupters, battery testers, battery chargers, battery charge monitoring equipment, battery charge/discharge rate controlling equipment, “smart” battery electronics, flashlights, etc. and the like; Small Appliance Products including hair removal appliances (including, e.g. electric foil shavers for men and women, charging and/or cleaning stations, electric hair trimmers, electric beard trimmers, electric epilator devices, cleaning fluid cartridges, shaving conditioner cartridges, shaving foils, and cutter blocks); oral care appliances (including, e.g., electric toothbrushes with accumulator or battery, refill brushheads, interdental cleaners, tongue cleaners, charging stations, electric oral irrigators, and irrigator clip on jets); small electric household appliances (including, e.g., coffee makers, water kettles, handblenders, handmixers, food processors, steam cookers, juicers, citrus presses, toasters, coffee or meat grinders, vacuum pumps, irons, steam pressure stations for irons and in general non electric attachments therefore, hair care appliances (including, e.g., electric hair driers, hairstylers, hair curlers, hair straighteners, cordless gas heated styler/irons and gas cartridges therefore, and air filter attachments); personal diagnostic appliances (including, e.g., blood pressure monitors, ear thermometers, and lensfilters therefore); clock appliances and watch appliances (including, e.g., alarm clocks, travel alarm clocks combined with radios, wall clocks, wristwatches, and pocket calculators), etc. and the like.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrates various views of an embodiment of a stand upflexible container100.FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of thecontainer100. Thecontainer100 is standing upright on ahorizontal support surface101.

InFIG. 1A, a coordinatesystem110, provides lines of reference for referring to directions in the figure. The coordinatesystem110 is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, wherein each axis is perpendicular to the other axes, and any two of the axes define a plane. The X-axis and the Z-axis are parallel with thehorizontal support surface101 and the Y-axis is perpendicular to thehorizontal support surface101.

FIG. 1A also includes other lines of reference, for referring to directions and locations with respect to thecontainer100. Alateral centerline111 runs parallel to the X-axis. An XY plane at thelateral centerline111 separates thecontainer100 into a front half and a back half. An XZ plane at thelateral centerline111 separates thecontainer100 into an upper half and a lower half. Alongitudinal centerline114 runs parallel to the Y-axis. A YZ plane at thelongitudinal centerline114 separates thecontainer100 into a left half and a right half. Athird centerline117 runs parallel to the Z-axis. Thelateral centerline111, thelongitudinal centerline114, and thethird centerline117 all intersect at a center of thecontainer100.

A disposition with respect to thelateral centerline111 defines what is longitudinally inboard112 andlongitudinally outboard113. When a first location is nearer to thelateral centerline111 than a second location, the first location is considered to be disposed longitudinally inboard112 to the second location. And, the second location is considered to be disposed longitudinally outboard113 from the first location. The term lateral refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to thelateral centerline111. A lateral orientation may also be referred to a horizontal orientation, and a lateral measurement may also be referred to as a width.

A disposition with respect to thelongitudinal centerline114 defines what is laterally inboard115 and laterally outboard116. When a first location is nearer to thelongitudinal centerline114 than a second location, the first location is considered to be disposed laterally inboard115 to the second location. And, the second location is considered to be disposed laterally outboard116 from the first location. The term longitudinal refers to a direction, orientation, or measurement that is parallel to thelongitudinal centerline114. A longitudinal orientation may also be referred to a vertical orientation.

A longitudinal direction, orientation, or measurement may also be expressed in relation to a horizontal support surface for thecontainer100. When a first location is nearer to the support surface than a second location, the first location can be considered to be disposed lower than, below, beneath, or under the second location. And, the second location can be considered to be disposed higher than, above, or upward from the first location. A longitudinal measurement may also be referred to as a height, measured above thehorizontal support surface101.

A measurement that is made parallel to thethird centerline117 is referred to a thickness or depth. A disposition in the direction of thethird centerline117 and toward a front102-1 of the container is referred to as forward118 or in front of. A disposition in the direction of thethird centerline117 and toward a back102-2 of the container is referred to as backward119 or behind.

These terms for direction, orientation, measurement, and disposition, as described above, are used for all of the embodiments of the present disclosure, whether or not a support surface, reference line, or coordinate system is illustrated in a figure.

Thecontainer100 includes a top104, a middle106, and a bottom108, the front102-1, the back102-2, and left andright sides109. The top104 is separated from the middle106 by areference plane105, which is parallel to the XZ plane. The middle106 is separated from the bottom108 by areference plane107, which is also parallel to the XZ plane. Thecontainer100 has an overall height of100-oh. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1A, the front102-1 and the back102-2 of the container are joined together at aseal129, which extends around the outer periphery of thecontainer100, across the top104, down theside109, and then, at the bottom of eachside109, splits outward to follow the front and back portions of thebase190, around their outer extents.

Thecontainer100 includes astructural support frame140, aproduct space150, adispenser160, panels180-1 and180-2, and abase structure190. A portion of panel180-1 is illustrated as broken away, in order to illustrate theproduct space150. Theproduct space150 is configured to contain one or more fluent products. Thedispenser160 allows thecontainer100 to dispense these fluent product(s) from theproduct space150 through a flow channel158 then through thedispenser160, to the environment outside of thecontainer100. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1A-1D, thedispenser160 is disposed in the center of the uppermost part of the top104, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser160 can be disposed anywhere else on the top140, middle106, orbottom108, including anywhere on either of thesides109, on either of the panels180-1 and180-2, and on any part of thebase190 of thecontainer100. Thestructural support frame140 supports the mass of fluent product(s) in theproduct space150, and makes thecontainer100 stand upright. The panels180-1 and180-2 are relatively flat surfaces, overlaying theproduct space150, and are suitable for displaying any kind of indicia. However, in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of either or both of the panels180-1 and180-2 can include one or more curved surfaces. Thebase structure190 supports thestructural support frame140 and provides stability to thecontainer100 as it stands upright.

Thestructural support frame140 is formed by a plurality of structural support members. Thestructural support frame140 includes top structural support members144-1 and144-2, middle structural support members146-1,146-2,146-3, and146-4, as well as bottom structural support members148-1 and148-2.

The top structural support members144-1 and144-2 are disposed substantially above theproduct space150. Overall, each of the top structural support members144-1 and144-2 is oriented about horizontally, but with its ends curved slightly downward. And, overall each of the top structural support members144-1 and144-2 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length; however the cross-sectional area at their ends are slightly larger than the cross-sectional area in their middles.

The middle structural support member146-2 is disposed in the front102-1, on theright side109; the middle structural support member146-3 is disposed in the back102-2, on theright side109, behind the middle structural support member146-2. The middle structural support members146-2 and146-3 are adjacent to each other and can be in contact with each other along substantially all of their lengths. In various embodiments, the middle structural support members146-2 and146-3 can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths. The middle structural support members146-2 and146-3 are not directly connected to each other. However, in various alternate embodiments, the middle structural support members146-2 and146-3 can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.

The middle structural support members146-1,146-2,146-3, and146-4 are disposed substantially laterally outboard from theproduct space150. Overall, each of the middle structural support members146-1,146-2,146-3, and146-4 is oriented about vertically, but angled slightly, with its upper end laterally inboard to its lower end. And, overall each of the middle structural support members146-1,146-2,146-3, and146-4 has a cross-sectional area that changes along its length, increasing in size from its upper end to its lower end.

The bottom structural support members148-1 and148-2 are disposed substantially below theproduct space150, but substantially above thebase structure190. Overall, each of the bottom structural support members148-1 and148-2 is oriented about horizontally, but with its ends curved slightly upward. And, overall each of the bottom structural support members148-1 and148-2 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length.

In alternative embodiments of thestructural support frame140, adjacent structural support members can be combined into a single structural support member, wherein the combined structural support member can effectively substitute for the adjacent structural support members, as their functions and connections are described herein. In other alternative embodiments of thestructural support frame140, one or more additional structural support members can be added to the structural support members in thestructural support frame140, wherein the expanded structural support frame can effectively substitute for thestructural support frame140, as its functions and connections are described herein. Also, in some alternative embodiments, a flexible container may not include a base structure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a top view of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D illustrates a bottom view of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of a container100-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A, including an asymmetric structural support frame140-1, a first portion of the product space150-1b, a second portion of the product space150-1a, and a dispenser160-1. The embodiment ofFIG. 1E is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 1A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the frame140-1 extends around about half of the container100-1, directly supporting a first portion of the product space150-1b, which is disposed inside of the frame140-1, and indirectly supporting a second portion of the product space150-1a, which is disposed outside of the frame140-1. In various embodiments, any stand-up flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that: the frame extends around only part or parts of the container, and/or the frame is asymmetric with respect to one or more centerlines of the container, and/or part or parts of one or more product spaces of the container are disposed outside of the frame, and/or part or parts of one or more product spaces of the container are indirectly supported by the frame.

FIG. 1F illustrates a perspective view of a container100-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A, including an internal structural support frame140-2, a product space150-2, and a dispenser160-2. The embodiment ofFIG. 1F is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 1A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the frame140-2 is internal to the product space150-2. In various embodiments, any stand-up flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that: part, parts, or all of the frame (including part, parts, or all of one or more of any structural support members that form the frame) are about, approximately, substantially, nearly, or completely enclosed by one or more product spaces.

FIG. 1G illustrates a perspective view of a container100-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container100 ofFIG. 1A, including an external structural support frame140-3, a product space150-3, and a dispenser160-3. The embodiment ofFIG. 1G is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 1A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the product space150-3 is not integrally connected to the frame140-3 (that is, not simultaneously made from the same web of flexible materials), but rather the product space150-3 is separately made and then joined to the frame140-3. The product space150-3 can be joined to the frame in any convenient manner disclosed herein or known in the art. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, the product space150-3 is disposed within the frame140-3, but the product space150-3 has a reduced size and a somewhat different shape, when compared with theproduct space150 ofFIG. 1A; however, these differences are made to illustrate the relationship between the product space150-3 and the frame140-3, and are not required. In various embodiments, any stand-up flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that one or more the product spaces are not integrally connected to the frame.

FIGS. 2A-8G illustrate embodiments of stand up flexible containers having various overall shapes. Any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the embodiments ofFIGS. 1A-1G. Any of the elements (e.g. structural support frames, structural support members, panels, dispensers, etc.) of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G, can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. While each of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G illustrates a container with one dispenser, in various embodiments, each container can include multiple dispensers, according to any embodiment described herein.FIGS. 2A-8G illustrate exemplary additional/alternate locations for dispenser with phantom line outlines. Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of each of the panels in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G is suitable to display any kind of indicia. Each of the side panels in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G is configured to be a nonstructural panel, overlaying product space(s) disposed within the flexible container, however, in various embodiments, one or more of any kind of decorative or structural element (such as a rib, protruding from an outer surface) can be joined to part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of these side panels. For clarity, not all structural details of these flexible containers are illustrated inFIGS. 2A-8G, however any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G can be configured to include any structure or feature for flexible containers, disclosed herein. For example, any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-8G can be configured to include any kind of base structure disclosed herein.

FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container200 having astructural support frame240 that has an overall shape like a frustum. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2A, the frustum shape is based on a four-sided pyramid, however, in various embodiments, the frustum shape can be based on a pyramid with a different number of sides, or the frustum shape can be based on a cone. Thesupport frame240 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the frustum shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a rectangular shaped top panel280-t, trapezoidal shaped side panels280-1,280-2,280-3, and280-4, and a rectangular shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels280-1,280-2,280-3, and280-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer200 includes adispenser260, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer200. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2A, thedispenser260 is disposed in the center of the top panel280-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser260 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer200, according to any embodiment described or illustrated herein.FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of thecontainer200 ofFIG. 2A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser, any of which can also apply to the back of the container.FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of thecontainer200 ofFIG. 2A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can apply to either side of the container.FIG. 2D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer200 ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective view of a container200-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container200 ofFIG. 2A, including an asymmetric structural support frame240-1, a first portion of the product space250-1b, a second portion of the product space250-1a, and a dispenser260-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer200.FIG. 2F illustrates a perspective view of a container200-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container200 ofFIG. 2A, including an internal structural support frame240-2, a product space250-2, and a dispenser260-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer200.FIG. 2G illustrates a perspective view of a container200-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container200 ofFIG. 2A, including an external structural support frame240-3, a non-integral product space250-3 joined to and disposed within the frame240-3, and a dispenser260-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer200.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container300 having astructural support frame340 that has an overall shape like a pyramid. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, the pyramid shape is based on a four-sided pyramid, however, in various embodiments, the pyramid shape can be based on a pyramid with a different number of sides. Thesupport frame340 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the pyramid shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define triangular shaped side panels380-1,380-2,380-3, and380-4, and a square shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels380-1,380-2,380-3, and380-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer300 includes adispenser360, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer300. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, thedispenser360 is disposed at the apex of the pyramid shape, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser360 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer300.FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of thecontainer300 ofFIG. 3A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of the container.FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of thecontainer300 ofFIG. 3A.FIG. 3D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer300 ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of a container300-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container300 ofFIG. 3A, including an asymmetric structural support frame340-1, a first portion of the product space350-1b, a second portion of the product space350-1a, and a dispenser360-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer300.FIG. 3F illustrates a perspective view of a container300-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container300 ofFIG. 3A, including an internal structural support frame340-2, a product space350-2, and a dispenser360-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer300.FIG. 3G illustrates a perspective view of a container300-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container300 ofFIG. 3A, including an external structural support frame340-3, a non-integral product space350-3 joined to and disposed within the frame340-3, and a dispenser360-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer300.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container400 having astructural support frame440 that has an overall shape like a trigonal prism. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4A, the prism shape is based on a triangle. Thesupport frame440 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a triangular shaped top panel480-t, rectangular shaped side panels480-1,480-2, and480-3, and a triangular shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels480-1,480-2, and480-3 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer400 includes adispenser460, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer400. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4A, thedispenser460 is disposed in the center of the top panel480-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser460 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer400.FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of thecontainer400 ofFIG. 4A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of thecontainer400.FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of thecontainer400 ofFIG. 4A.FIG. 4D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer400 ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E illustrates a perspective view of a container400-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container400 ofFIG. 4A, including an asymmetric structural support frame440-1, a first portion of the product space450-1b, a second portion of the product space450-1a, and a dispenser460-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer400.FIG. 4F illustrates a perspective view of a container400-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container400 ofFIG. 4A, including an internal structural support frame440-2, a product space450-2, and a dispenser460-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer400.FIG. 4G illustrates a perspective view of a container400-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container400 ofFIG. 4A, including an external structural support frame440-3, a non-integral product space450-3 joined to and disposed within the frame440-3, and a dispenser460-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer400.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container500 having astructural support frame540 that has an overall shape like a tetragonal prism. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, the prism shape is based on a square. Thesupport frame540 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a square shaped top panel580-t, rectangular shaped side panels580-1,580-2,580-3, and580-4, and a square shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels580-1,580-2,580-3, and580-4 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer500 includes adispenser560, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer500. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, thedispenser560 is disposed in the center of the top panel580-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser560 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer500.FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of thecontainer500 ofFIG. 5A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of thecontainer500.FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of thecontainer500 ofFIG. 5A.FIG. 5D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer500 ofFIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of a container500-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container500 ofFIG. 5A, including an asymmetric structural support frame540-1, a first portion of the product space550-1b, a second portion of the product space550-1a, and a dispenser560-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer500.FIG. 5F illustrates a perspective view of a container500-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container500 ofFIG. 5A, including an internal structural support frame540-2, a product space550-2, and a dispenser560-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer500.FIG. 5G illustrates a perspective view of a container500-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container500 ofFIG. 5A, including an external structural support frame540-3, a non-integral product space550-3 joined to and disposed within the frame540-3, and a dispenser560-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer500.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container600 having astructural support frame640 that has an overall shape like a pentagonal prism. In the embodiment of FIG.6A, the prism shape is based on a pentagon. Thesupport frame640 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the prism shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a pentagon shaped top panel680-t, rectangular shaped side panels680-1,680-2,680-3,680-4, and680-5, and a pentagon shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels680-1,680-2,680-3,680-4, and680-5 is about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer600 includes adispenser660, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer600. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6A, thedispenser660 is disposed in the center of the top panel680-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser660 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer600.FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of thecontainer600 ofFIG. 6A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side of thecontainer600.FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of thecontainer600 ofFIG. 6A.FIG. 6D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer600 ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 6E illustrates a perspective view of a container600-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container600 ofFIG. 6A, including an asymmetric structural support frame640-1, a first portion of the product space650-1b, a second portion of the product space650-1a, and a dispenser660-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer600.FIG. 6F illustrates a perspective view of a container600-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container600 ofFIG. 6A, including an internal structural support frame640-2, a product space650-2, and a dispenser660-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer600.FIG. 6G illustrates a perspective view of a container600-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container600 ofFIG. 6A, including an external structural support frame640-3, a non-integral product space650-3 joined to and disposed within the frame640-3, and a dispenser660-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer600.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container700 having astructural support frame740 that has an overall shape like a cone. Thesupport frame740 is formed by curved structural support members disposed around the base of the cone and by straight structural support members extending linearly from the base to the apex, wherein the structural support members are joined together at their ends. The structural support members define curved somewhat triangular shaped side panels780-1,780-2, and780-3, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels780-1,780-2, and780-3, is curved, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer700 includes adispenser760, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer700. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7A, thedispenser760 is disposed at the apex of the conical shape, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser760 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer700.FIG. 7B illustrates a front view of thecontainer700 ofFIG. 7A.FIG. 7C illustrates a side view of thecontainer700 ofFIG. 7A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side panel of thecontainer700.FIG. 7D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer700 ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E illustrates a perspective view of a container700-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container700 ofFIG. 7A, including an asymmetric structural support frame740-1, a first portion of the product space750-1b, a second portion of the product space750-1a, and a dispenser760-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer700.FIG. 7F illustrates a perspective view of a container700-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container700 ofFIG. 7A, including an internal structural support frame740-2, a product space750-2, and a dispenser760-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer700.FIG. 7G illustrates a perspective view of a container700-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container700 ofFIG. 7A, including an external structural support frame740-3, a non-integral product space750-3 joined to and disposed within the frame740-3, and a dispenser760-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer700.

FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of a stand upflexible container800 having astructural support frame840 that has an overall shape like a cylinder. Thesupport frame840 is formed by curved structural support members disposed around the top and bottom of the cylinder and by straight structural support members extending linearly from the top to the bottom, wherein the structural support members are joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a circular shaped top panel880-t, curved somewhat rectangular shaped side panels880-1,880-2,880-3, and880-4, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown). Each of the side panels880-1,880-2,880-3, and880-4, is curved, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer800 includes adispenser860, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer800. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8A, thedispenser860 is disposed in the center of the top panel880-t, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser860 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer800.FIG. 8B illustrates a front view of thecontainer800 ofFIG. 8A, including exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines), any of which can also apply to any side panel of thecontainer800.FIG. 8C illustrates a side view of thecontainer800 ofFIG. 8A.FIG. 8D illustrates an isometric view of thecontainer800 ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E illustrates a perspective view of a container800-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container800 ofFIG. 8A, including an asymmetric structural support frame840-1, a first portion of the product space850-1b, a second portion of the product space850-1a, and a dispenser860-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, except based on thecontainer800.FIG. 8F illustrates a perspective view of a container800-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container800 ofFIG. 8A, including an internal structural support frame840-2, a product space850-2, and a dispenser860-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1F, except based on thecontainer800.FIG. 8G illustrates a perspective view of a container800-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container800 ofFIG. 8A, including an external structural support frame840-3, a non-integral product space850-3 joined to and disposed within the frame840-3, and a dispenser860-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 1G, except based on thecontainer800.

In additional embodiments, any stand up flexible container with a structural support frame, as disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall shape that corresponds with any other known three-dimensional shape, including any kind of polyhedron, any kind of prismatoid, and any kind of prism (including right prisms and uniform prisms).

FIG. 9A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supportingflexible container900, having an overall shape like a square.FIG. 9B illustrates an end view of theflexible container900 ofFIG. 9A. Thecontainer900 is resting on ahorizontal support surface901.

InFIG. 9B, a coordinatesystem910, provides lines of reference for referring to directions in the figure. The coordinatesystem910 is a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The X-axis and the Z-axis are parallel with thehorizontal support surface901 and the Y-axis is perpendicular to thehorizontal support surface901.

FIG. 9A also includes other lines of reference, for referring to directions and locations with respect to thecontainer100. Alateral centerline911 runs parallel to the X-axis. An XY plane at thelateral centerline911 separates thecontainer100 into a front half and a back half. An XZ plane at thelateral centerline911 separates thecontainer100 into an upper half and a lower half. Alongitudinal centerline914 runs parallel to the Y-axis. A YZ plane at thelongitudinal centerline914 separates thecontainer900 into a left half and a right half. Athird centerline917 runs parallel to the Z-axis. Thelateral centerline911, thelongitudinal centerline914, and thethird centerline917 all intersect at a center of thecontainer900. These terms for direction, orientation, measurement, and disposition, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9B are the same as the like-numbered terms in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1A-1D.

Thecontainer900 includes a top904, a middle906, and a bottom908, the front902-1, the back902-2, and left andright sides909. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9B, the upper half and the lower half of the container are joined together at aseal929, which extends around the outer periphery of thecontainer900. The bottom of thecontainer900 is configured in the same way as the top of thecontainer900.

Thecontainer900 includes astructural support frame940, aproduct space950, adispenser960, a top panel980-tand a bottom panel (not shown). A portion of the top panel980-tis illustrated as broken away, in order to show theproduct space950. Theproduct space950 is configured to contain one or more fluent products. Thedispenser960 allows thecontainer900 to dispense these fluent product(s) from theproduct space950 through a flow channel958 then through thedispenser960, to the environment outside of thecontainer900. Thestructural support frame940 supports the mass of fluent product(s) in theproduct space950. The top panel980-tand the bottom panel are relatively flat surfaces, overlaying theproduct space950, and are suitable for displaying any kind of indicia.

Thestructural support frame940 is formed by a plurality of structural support members. Thestructural support frame940 includes front structural support members943-1 and943-2, intermediate structural support members945-1,945-2,945-3, and945-4, as well as back structural support members947-1 and947-2. Overall, each of the structural support members in thecontainer900 is oriented horizontally. And, each of the structural support members in thecontainer900 has a cross-sectional area that is substantially uniform along its length, although in various embodiments, this cross-sectional area can vary.

Upper structural support members943-1,945-1,945-2, and947-1 are disposed in an upper part of the middle906 and in the top904, while lower structural support members943-2,945-4,945-3, and947-2 are disposed in a lower part of the middle906 and in the bottom908. The upper structural support members943-1,945-1,945-2, and947-1 are disposed above and adjacent to the lower structural support members943-2,945-4,945-3, and947-2, respectively.

In various embodiments, adjacent upper and lower structural support members can be in contact with each other at one or more relatively smaller locations and/or at one or more relatively larger locations, along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths, so long as there is a gap in the contact for the flow channel958, between the structural support members943-1 and943-2. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9B, the upper and lower structural support members are not directly connected to each other. However, in various alternate embodiments, adjacent upper and lower structural support members can be directly connected and/or joined together along part, or parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of their overall lengths.

The ends of structural support members943-1,945-2,947-1, and945-1 are joined together to form a top square that is outward from and surrounding theproduct space950, and the ends of structural support members943-2,945-3,947-2, and945-4 are also joined together to form a bottom square that is outward from and surrounding theproduct space950. In thestructural support frame940, the ends of the structural support members, which are joined together, are directly connected, all around the periphery of their walls. However, in various alternative embodiments, any of the structural support members of the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9B can be joined together in any way described herein or known in the art.

In alternative embodiments of thestructural support frame940, adjacent structural support members can be combined into a single structural support member, wherein the combined structural support member can effectively substitute for the adjacent structural support members, as their functions and connections are described herein. In other alternative embodiments of thestructural support frame940, one or more additional structural support members can be added to the structural support members in thestructural support frame940, wherein the expanded structural support frame can effectively substitute for thestructural support frame940, as its functions and connections are described herein.

FIG. 9C illustrates a perspective view of a container900-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container900 ofFIG. 1A, including an asymmetric structural support frame940-1, a first portion of the product space950-1b, a second portion of the product space950-1a, and a dispenser960-1. The embodiment ofFIG. 9C is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 9A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the frame940-1 extends around about half of the container900-1, directly supporting a first portion of the product space950-1b, which is disposed inside of the frame940-1, and indirectly supporting a second portion of the product space950-1a, which is disposed outside of the frame940-1. In various embodiments, any self-supporting flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that: the frame extends around only part or parts of the container, and/or the frame is asymmetric with respect to one or more centerlines of the container, and/or part or parts of one or more product spaces of the container are disposed outside of the frame, and/or part or parts of one or more product spaces of the container are indirectly supported by the frame.

FIG. 9D illustrates a perspective view of a container900-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container900 ofFIG. 9A, including an internal structural support frame940-2, a product space950-2, and a dispenser960-2. The embodiment ofFIG. 9D is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 9A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the frame940-2 is internal to the product space950-2. In various embodiments, any self-supporting flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that: part, parts, or all of the frame (including part, parts, or all of one or more of any structural support members that form the frame) are about, approximately, substantially, nearly, or completely enclosed by one or more product spaces.

FIG. 9E illustrates a perspective view of a container900-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the stand upflexible container900 ofFIG. 9A, including an external structural support frame940-3, a product space950-3, and a dispenser960-3. The embodiment ofFIG. 9E is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 9A with like-numbered terms configured in the same way, except that the product space950-3 is not integrally connected to the frame940-3 (that is, not simultaneously made from the same web of flexible materials), but rather the product space950-3 is separately made and then joined to the frame940-3. The product space950-3 can be joined to the frame in any convenient manner disclosed herein or known in the art. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9E, the product space950-3 is disposed within the frame940-3, but the product space950-3 has a reduced size and a somewhat different shape, when compared with theproduct space950 ofFIG. 9A; however, these differences are made to illustrate the relationship between the product space950-3 and the frame940-3, and are not required. In various embodiments, any self-supporting flexible container of the present disclosure can be modified in a similar way, such that one or more the product spaces are not integrally connected to the frame.

FIGS. 10A-11E illustrate embodiments of self-supporting flexible containers (that are not stand up containers) having various overall shapes. Any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A-9E. Any of the elements (e.g. structural support frames, structural support members, panels, dispensers, etc.) of the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E, can be configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. While each of the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E illustrates a container with one dispenser, in various embodiments, each container can include multiple dispensers, according to any embodiment described herein. Part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of each of the panels in the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E is suitable to display any kind of indicia. Each of the top and bottom panels in the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E is configured to be a nonstructural panel, overlaying product space(s) disposed within the flexible container, however, in various embodiments, one or more of any kind of decorative or structural element (such as a rib, protruding from an outer surface) can be joined to part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of these panels. For clarity, not all structural details of these flexible containers are illustrated inFIGS. 10A-11E, however any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-11E can be configured to include any structure or feature for flexible containers, disclosed herein.

FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container1000 (that is not a stand up flexible container) having aproduct space1050 and an overall shape like a triangle. However, in various embodiments, a self-supporting flexible container can have an overall shape like a polygon having any number of sides. Thesupport frame1040 is formed by structural support members disposed along the edges of the triangular shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a triangular shaped top panel1080-t, and a triangular shaped bottom panel (not shown). The top panel1080-tand the bottom panel are about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer1000 includes adispenser1060, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer1000. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10A, thedispenser1060 is disposed in the center of the front, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser1060 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer1000.FIG. 10A includes exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines).FIG. 10B illustrates an end view of theflexible container1000 ofFIG. 10B, resting on ahorizontal support surface1001.

FIG. 10C illustrates a perspective view of a container1000-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1000 ofFIG. 10A, including an asymmetric structural support frame1040-1, a first portion of the product space1050-1b, a second portion of the product space1050-1a, and a dispenser1060-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9C, except based on thecontainer1000.FIG. 10D illustrates a perspective view of a container1000-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1000 ofFIG. 10A, including an internal structural support frame1040-2, a product space1050-2, and a dispenser1060-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9D, except based on thecontainer1000.FIG. 10E illustrates a perspective view of a container1000-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1000 ofFIG. 10A, including an external structural support frame1040-3, a non-integral product space1050-3 joined to and disposed within the frame1040-3, and a dispenser1060-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9E, except based on thecontainer1000.

FIG. 11A illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a self-supporting flexible container1100 (that is not a stand up flexible container) having a product space1150 and an overall shape like a circle. Thesupport frame1140 is formed by structural support members disposed around the circumference of the circular shape and joined together at their ends. The structural support members define a circular shaped top panel1180-t, and a circular shaped bottom panel (not shown). The top panel1180-tand the bottom panel are about flat, however in various embodiments, part, parts, or about all, or approximately all, or substantially all, or nearly all, or all of any of the side panels can be approximately flat, substantially flat, nearly flat, or completely flat. Thecontainer1100 includes adispenser1160, which is configured to dispense one or more fluent products from one or more product spaces disposed within thecontainer1100. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11A, thedispenser1160 is disposed in the center of the front, however, in various alternate embodiments, thedispenser1160 can be disposed anywhere else on the top, sides, or bottom, of thecontainer1100.FIG. 11A includes exemplary additional/alternate locations for a dispenser (illustrated as phantom lines).FIG. 11B illustrates an end view of theflexible container1100 ofFIG. 10B, resting on ahorizontal support surface1101.

FIG. 11C illustrates a perspective view of a container1100-1, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1100 ofFIG. 11A, including an asymmetric structural support frame1140-1, a first portion of the product space1150-1b, a second portion of the product space1150-1a, and a dispenser1160-1, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9C, except based on thecontainer1100.FIG. 11D illustrates a perspective view of a container1100-2, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1100 ofFIG. 11A, including an internal structural support frame1140-2, a product space1150-2, and a dispenser1160-2, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9D, except based on thecontainer1100.FIG. 11E illustrates a perspective view of a container1100-3, which is an alternative embodiment of the self-supportingflexible container1100 ofFIG. 11A, including an external structural support frame1140-3, a non-integral product space1150-3 joined to and disposed within the frame1140-3, and a dispenser1160-3, configured in the same manner as the embodiment ofFIG. 9E, except based on thecontainer1100.

In additional embodiments, any self-supporting container with a structural support frame, as disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall shape that corresponds with any other known three-dimensional shape. For example, any self-supporting container with a structural support frame, as disclosed herein, can be configured to have an overall shape (when observed from a top view) that corresponds with a rectangle, a polygon (having any number of sides), an oval, an ellipse, a star, or any other shape, or combinations of any of these.

Together,FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate an embodiment of a conventional rigid container wherein fill height varies in proportion to the amount of fluent product in the container's product spaces.

FIG. 15A illustrates a front view of a rigid container1500-a, having a first actual amount of a liquid fluent product1551-a, according to the prior art. The rigid container1500-ais a conventional molded bottle, with a top, bottom, and an outer wall1580-a, together forming an overall shape that is cylindrical. The rigid container1500-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface1501. The rigid container1500-aincludes a product space1550-athat is visible inFIG. 15A through a portion of the outer wall1580-athat is illustrated as broken away. The product space1550-ahas a particular size and is also cylindrical. The fluent product1551-ais disposed in the product space1550-a. The top of the rigid container1500-aincludes a dispenser1560-athat is closed by a cap. An external amount indicium1530-ais disposed on the outside of the outer wall1580-a. The external amount indicium1530-aindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product1551-athat is being offered for sale with the container1500-a. In the embodiment ofFIG. 15A, the rigid container1500-acontains a first actual amount of the fluent product1551-a, wherein the first actual amount is equal to the particular listed amount indicated by the external amount indicium1530-a. Inside the product space1550-a, the fluent product1551-aforms a fill line1554-aat a closed fill height1555-a; the fluent product1551-asits below the fill line1554-aand a headspace1558-aexists above the fill line1554-a. Since the product space1550-ais cylindrical, the first actual amount of the fluent product1551-ain the container1500-ais equal to a horizontal cross-sectional area of the product space1550-amultiplied by a vertical height of the fluent product1551-awithin the product space1550-a. As a result, for the container1500-a, a fill height will vary in proportion to an amount of fluent product in the product space1550-a.

FIG. 15C illustrates a front view of a rigid container1500-c, having a third amount of a liquid fluent product1551-c, according to the prior art. The rigid container1500-cis the same as the rigid container1500-aofFIG. 15A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The external amount indicium1530-cindicates a particular listed amount (designated “<<X”) of the fluent product1551-cthat is being offered for sale with the container1500-c. In the embodiment ofFIG. 15C, the rigid container1500-ccontains a third actual amount of the fluent product1551-c, wherein the third actual amount is equal to the particular listed amount indicated by the external amount indicium1530-c. InFIG. 15C, the third actual amount of the fluent product1551-cin the container1500-cis less than the first actual amount of the fluent product1551-ain the container1500-aofFIG. 15A. The fluent product1551-cforms a fill line1554-cat a closed fill height1555-cabove thehorizontal support surface1501. Since the product space1550-cis the same size and shape as the product space1550-a, the closed fill height1555-cis lower than the closed fill height1555-aofFIG. 15A. The closed fill height1555-cis less than the closed fill height1555-ain the same proportion that the third actual amount of the fluent product1551-cis less than the first actual amount of the fluent product1551-a.

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate flexible containers with fluent product, wherein the containers are in various conditions of being opened or closed, sealed or vented.

FIG. 16A illustrates a front view of a flexible container1600-a, which is closed and sealed by a cap1661-a. The flexible container1600-ais the same as theflexible container200 ofFIGS. 2A-2D, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The container1600-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface1601. The flexible container1600-aincludes a product space1650-athat is visible inFIG. 16A through a transparent panel1680-athat is illustrated as partially broken away. A fluent product1651-ais disposed in the product space1650-a. The top of the flexible container1600-aincludes a dispenser1660-athat is closed and sealed by the cap1661-a. Inside the product space1650-a, the fluent product1651-aforms a fill line1654-aat a closed and sealed fill height1655-a; the fluent product1651-asits below the fill line1654-aand a headspace1658-aexists above the fill line1654-a. Since the flexible container1600-ais closed and sealed, the product space1650-a(including the headspace1658-a) is hermetically sealed, with respect to the environment outside of the container1600-a. As a result of being sealed, the pressure in the headspace1658-ais not free to equalize with the pressure of the environment outside of the container1600-a. So, the fill line1654-adoes not move up or down from any pressure equalization, and the closed and sealed fill height1655-ais determined by hydrostatics. Any embodiment of flexible container disclosed herein, can also be configured to be closed and sealed as described in connection with the flexible container1600-aofFIG. 16A, or with any additional or alternate structures described herein, or known in the art.

FIG. 16B illustrates a front view of a flexible container1600-b, which is closed by a cap1661-bbut vented through the cap1661-b. The flexible container1600-bis the same as the flexible container1600-aofFIG. 16A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The container1600-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface1601. The top of the flexible container1600-bincludes a dispenser1660-bthat is closed but not sealed by the cap1661-b. Inside the product space1650-b, the fluent product1651-bforms a fill line1654-bat a closed fill height1655-b. Since the flexible container1600-bis closed but not sealed by the cap1661-b, the product space1650-b(including the headspace1658-b) is in fluid communication1669-b, through the vented cap1661-b, with the environment outside of the container1600-b. As a result of not being sealed, the pressure in the headspace1658-bcan equalize with the pressure of the environment outside of the container1600-b. So, the fill line1654-bcan move up or down as these pressures equalize, allowing the closed fill height1655-bto vary somewhat. Any embodiment of flexible container disclosed herein can also be configured to be closed but not sealed as described in connection with the flexible container1600-bofFIG. 16B, or with any additional or alternate structures described herein, or known in the art. When a flexible container that is sealed becomes vented (e.g. by opening a vent in a cap), the pressure in the headspace can equalize with the pressure of the environment, allowing the fill line to move from a closed and sealed fill height to a closed fill height.

FIG. 16C illustrates a front view of the flexible container1600-c, which is closed by a cap1661-c, but vented through avent1665. The flexible container1600-cis the same as the flexible container1600-aofFIG. 16A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The container1600-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface1601. The flexible container1600-cincludes thevent1665. Inside the product space1650-c, the fluent product1651-cforms a fill line1654-cat a closed fill height1655-c. Since the flexible container1600-bis closed by the cap1661-bbut vented through thevent1665, the product space1650-c(including the headspace1658-c) is in fluid communication1669-c, through thevent1665, with the environment outside of the container1600-c. As a result of not being sealed, the pressure in the headspace1658-ccan equalize with the pressure of the environment outside of the container1600-c. So, the fill line1654-ccan move up or down as these pressures equalize, allowing the closed fill height1655-cto vary somewhat. Any embodiment of flexible container disclosed herein can also be configured to be closed but vented as described in connection with the flexible container1600-cofFIG. 16C, or with any additional or alternate structures described herein, or known in the art. When a flexible container that is sealed becomes vented (e.g. by opening a vent in the container), the pressure in the headspace can equalize with the pressure of the environment, allowing the fill line to move from a closed and sealed fill height to a closed fill height.

FIG. 16D illustrates a front view of the flexible container1600-d, which is vented through an open dispenser1660-d. The flexible container1600-dis the same as the flexible container1600-aofFIG. 16A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The container1600-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface1601. The top of the flexible container1600-dincludes a dispenser1660-dthat is open. Inside the product space1650-d, the fluent product1651-dforms a fill line1654-dat an open fill height1655-d. Since the flexible container1600-dis open and vented through the dispenser1660-d, the product space1650-d(including the headspace1658-d) is in fluid communication1669-d, through the dispenser1660-d, with the environment outside of the container1600-d. As a result of not being sealed, the pressure in the headspace1658-dcan equalize with the pressure of the environment outside of the container1600-d. So, the fill line1654-dcan move up or down as these pressures equalize, allowing the open fill height1655-dto vary somewhat. Any embodiment of flexible container disclosed herein can also be configured to be open and vented as described in connection with the flexible container1600-dofFIG. 16D, or with any additional or alternate structures described herein, or known in the art. When a flexible container that is sealed becomes unsealed (e.g. by opening a dispenser), the pressure in the headspace can also equalize with the pressure of the environment, allowing the fill line to move from a closed and sealed fill height to an open fill height.

FIG. 17B illustrates a front view of a flexible container1700-b. The flexible container1700-bis the same as the flexible container1700-aofFIG. 17A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The flexible container1700-bincludes a product space1750-bthat is partially visible inFIG. 17B through a product viewing portion1782-b. The product viewing portion1782-bis made from a flexible material that is transparent. The product viewing portion1782-bis a trapezoidal shaped portion that occupies a top portion of a panel1780-b. The product viewing portion1782-bis bounded on its top and sides by an outer extent of the panel1780-band bounded on its bottom by an opaque portion1781-bof the panel1780-b, however this particular relationship with surrounding elements is not required. In the embodiment ofFIG. 17B, all of the fill line1754-bis visible through the product viewing portion1782-b, from outside of the flexible container1700-b. So, a fill height for the fluent product1751-acan be seen when the product space1750-aof the flexible container1700-ais filled. Any embodiment of a flexible container disclosed herein can include the product viewing portion1782-bas described and illustrated in connection with flexible container1700-bofFIG. 17B, including any alternative embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating aprocess1890 of how a product with a flexible container is made, supplied, and used. Theprocess1890 begins with receiving1891 materials, then continues with the making1892 of the product, followed by supplying1896 the product, and finally ends with using1897 the product.

The receiving1891 of materials can include receiving any materials and/or ingredients for making the product (e.g. ingredients for making a fluent product) and/or the container for the product (e.g. flexible materials to be converted into a flexible container). The flexible materials can be any kind of suitable flexible material, as disclosed herein and/or as known in the art of flexible containers and/or in U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/889,061 filed May 7, 2013, entitled “Flexible Materials for Flexible Containers” published as US20130337244 and/or in U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/889,090 filed May 7, 2013, entitled “Flexible Materials for Flexible Containers” published as US20130294711, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The making1892 includes the processes of converting1893, filling1894, andpackaging1895. The converting1893 process is the process for transforming one or more flexible materials and/or components, from the receiving1891, into a flexible container, as described herein. The converting1893 process includes the further processes of unwinding1893-1, sealing1893-2, and folding1893-3 the flexible materials then (optionally) singulating1893-4 the flexible materials into individual flexible containers. Thefilling process1894 includes the further processes of filling1894-1 one or more product spaces of the individual flexible containers, from the converting1893, with one or more fluent products, expanding1894-2 one or more structural support volumes with one or more expansion materials, then sealing1894-3 the one or structural support frames and sealing1894-3 and/or closing1894-4 the one or more product spaces. Thepackaging1895 process includes placing the filled product with a flexible container, from the filling1894, into one or more packages (e.g. cartons, cases, shippers, etc.) as known in the art of packaging. In various embodiments of theprocess1890, thepackaging1895 process may be omitted. In various embodiments, the processes of making1892 can be performed in various orders, and additional/alternate processes for making flexible containers can be performed.

Any of the making1892 processes can be accomplished according to any of the embodiments described here and/or as known in the art of making flexible containers and/or in U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/957,158 filed Aug. 1, 2013, entitled “Methods of Making Flexible Containers” published as US20140033654 and/or in U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/957,187 filed Aug. 1, 2013, entitled “Methods of Making Flexible Containers” published as US20140033655 and/or in U.S. provisional application 61/861,118 filed Aug. 1, 2013, entitled “Methods of Forming a Flexible Container” and/or in U.S. provisional application 61/900,450 filed Nov. 6, 2013, entitled “Flexible Containers and Methods of Forming the Same” and/or in U.S. provisional application 61/900,794 filed Nov. 6, 2013, entitled “Flexible Containers and Methods of Forming the Same” and/or in U.S. provisional application 61/900,805 filed Nov. 6, 2013, entitled “Flexible Containers and Methods of Making the Same” and/or in U.S. provisional application 61/900,810 filed Nov. 6, 2013, entitled “Flexible Containers and Methods of Making the Same,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein,

both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can be made with a common folding pattern and/or a common sealing pattern, such that both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can be made on the same machine for making1892 (e.g. converting1893, and/or filling1894, and/or packaging1895) and/orpackaging1895, as described in connection with embodiments ofFIG. 18. As an example, a first flexible container in a line-up can be made using a particular model of a machine, while at the same time a second flexible container in the line-up can be made using the same particular model of the machine, but a different machine unit, according to embodiments disclosed herein. As another example, a first flexible container in a line-up can be made on a particular machine unit at a first time, and a second flexible container in the line-up can be made using the same particular machine unit at a second time that differs from the first time, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

A machine for making1892 a flexible container, as described in connection with embodiments ofFIG. 18, can include a particular set of unit operations for sealing (e.g. sealing1893-2) flexible materials with a particular sealing pattern, resulting in a flexible container with a particular sealed configuration, as described herein. In any of the embodiments for a line-up of flexible containers, as described herein, the making of a first flexible container in the line-up and the making of the second flexible container in the line-up can use some or all of the same particular set of unit operations for sealing. By doing so, the same particular model of the machine, or even the same machine unit, can be used to make both a sealing pattern for the first flexible container and a sealing pattern for the second flexible container. As a result, the machine can switch from sealing the flexible container to sealing the second flexible container (or vice versa) without adding or removing any of the unit operations for sealing. In some embodiments, the machine can make such switches without changing parts in any of the unit operations for sealing. In other embodiments, the machine can make such switches without mechanically adjusting any of the unit operations for sealing.

A machine for making1892 a flexible container, as described in connection with embodiments ofFIG. 18, can include a particular set of unit operations for folding (e.g. folding1893-3) flexible materials with a particular folding pattern, resulting in a flexible container with a particular folded configuration, as described herein. In any of the embodiments for a line-up of flexible containers, as described herein, the making of a first flexible container in the line-up and the making of the second flexible container in the line-up can use some or all of the same particular set of unit operations for folding. By doing so, the same particular model of the machine, or even the same machine unit, can be used to make both a folding pattern for the first flexible container and a folding pattern for the second flexible container. As a result, the machine can switch from folding the flexible container to folding the second flexible container (or vice versa) without adding or removing any of the unit operations for folding. In some embodiments, the machine can make such switches without changing parts in any of the unit operations for folding. In other embodiments, the machine can make such switches without mechanically adjusting any of the unit operations for folding.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the making (e.g. making1892 ofFIG. 18), of both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can include an expanding (e.g. expanding1894-2 ofFIG. 18) of one or more structural support volumes with predetermined volumes and/pressures of one or more expansion materials, in various ways, as described below.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments described herein, a first flexible container can have a first predetermined volume of a first expansion material sealed inside, while a second disposable flexible container can have a second predetermined volume of a second expansion material (which can be similar to, the same as, or different from the first expansion material) sealed inside, wherein the second predetermined volume is greater than the first predetermined volume. For example, the first flexible container can have the first predetermined volume of the first expansion material sealed inside one or more first structural support volumes, such as structural support volumes that form the first structural support frame for the first container, while the second disposable flexible container can have the second predetermined volume of the second expansion material sealed inside one or more second structural support volumes, such as structural support volumes that form a second structural support frame for the second container. In various embodiments, the second predetermined volume can be 10-1000% more than the first predetermined volume, or any integer value for percentage from 10-1000%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 20-500%, 30-100%, etc.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments described herein, a first flexible container can have a first expansion material sealed inside at a first internal expansion pressure, while a second disposable flexible container can have a second expansion material sealed inside at a second internal expansion pressure, wherein the second internal expansion pressure is within 85% of the first internal pressure, or any integer value for percentage from 0-85%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 0-50%, 0-20%, etc.

The supplying1896 of the product includes transferring the product, from the making1892, to product purchasers and/or ultimately to product users, as known in the art of supplying. The using1897 of the product includes the processes of storing1897-1, handling1897-2, dispensing1897-3, and disposing1897-4 of the product, as described herein and is known in the art of using products with flexible containers. Part, parts, or all of theprocess1890 can be used to make products with flexible containers of the present disclosure, including products with line-ups of flexible containers.

Thefolding pattern1920 includes a first set of seals1929-1, a second set of seals1929-2, and a third set of seals1929-3, which are illustrated inFIG. 19 as dashed lines of varying dash length. While the first shaped cutout1929-b1 fully overlays and aligns with the second shaped cutout1929-b2, the blank1900-bis sealed with continuous seals along the dashed lines of the first set of seals1929-2. The first set of seals1929-1 is represented by the dashed lines having a longest dash length inFIG. 19.

The first set of seals1929-1 includes: the pair of mirrored trapezoidal shapes that are offset from the edges of the blank1900-b, on the left and right sides; two pairs of linear segments that extend along central parts of the top and bottom edges of the blank1900-b, on its left and right sides; and one linear segment that extends along the right side edge of the blank1900-b. The first set of seals1929-1 seals through both the first shaped cutout1929-b1 and the second shaped cutout1929-b2.

The sealing of the mirrored trapezoidal shapes from the first set of seals1929-1 forms nonstructural panels for a product space of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b. As a result, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, the product space construction is based, at least in part on thesealing pattern1920. In particular, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, substantially all of the product space construction is based on the first set of seals1929-1 in thesealing pattern1920. In various embodiments, all of a product space construction can be based on a particular sealing pattern.

The sealing of the mirrored trapezoidal shapes from the first set of seals1929-1 also forms inner portions of the structural support frame in the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b. The sealing of the linear segments from the first set of seals1929-1 forms outer portions of the structural support frame for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b.

After the blank1900-bis sealed along the dashed lines of the first set of seals1929-1, the blank1900-bis folded according to thefolding pattern1940. Thefolding pattern1940 includes a full fold at thefold line1941, although in various embodiments, a folding line can include partial and/or full folds along any number of folding lines. Thefold line1941 extends continuously from the top edge of the blank1900-bto the bottom edge of the blank1900-b, although in various embodiments a fold line may be discontinuous or may extend over only part of a blank1900-b.

The blank1900-bis folded at thefold line1941 so that the portions of the first shaped cutout1929-b1 and the second shaped cutout1929-b2 on the right side fully overlay and align with the portions of the first shaped cutout1929-b1 and the second shaped cutout1929-b2 on the left side. The folding of the blank1900-balong thefold line1941 further forms a top, a bottom, and sides of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, wherein the narrow, open edge opposite thefold line1941 is the partially formed top, the wide, folded edge adjacent thefold line1941 is the partially formed bottom, and the angled, open, top and bottom edges are the partially formed sides. As a result, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, the container construction is based, at least in part on thefolding pattern1940. In particular, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, the container construction is based on thefold line1941 of thefolding pattern1940. In various embodiments, substantially all or all of a container construction can be based on a particular folding pattern.

The folding of the blank1900-balong thefold line1941 also further forms the product space of the flexible container by bringing the nonstructural panels into positions that will be on a front and a back of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b. As a result, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, the product space construction is based, at least in part on thefolding pattern1940. In particular, for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, the product space construction is based on thefold line1941 of thefolding pattern1940. In various embodiments, substantially all or all of a product space construction can be based on a particular folding pattern.

After the blank1900-bis folded according to thefolding pattern1940 and while the blank1900-bis maintained in this folded state, the blank1900-bis sealed with continuous seals along the dashed lines of the second set of seals1929-2. The second set of seals1929-2 is represented by the dashed lines having an intermediate dash length inFIG. 19.

The second set of seals1929-2 includes: one pair of linear segments that extend along significant portions of the top and bottom edges of the blank1900-b, on its left side, including portions that extend next to and along portions of the first set of seals1929-1. Since the second set of seals1929-2 is made while the blank1900-bis folded, the second set of seals1929-2 seals through the left side of the second shaped cutout1929-b2, the left side and the (original) right side of the first shaped cutout1929-b1, and the (original) right side of the second shaped cutout1929-b2. The sealing of the linear segments from the second set of seals1929-2 forms outer portions of the structural support frame for the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b. The sealing of the linear segments from the second set of seals1929-2 also forms an outer extent of the product space of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b.

Before the structural support frame is fully sealed, one or more expansion materials can be added to the partially formed structural support frame, as described herein. And, before the product space is fully closed and/or sealed, one or more fluent products can be added to the partially formed product space, as described herein.

After the blank1900-bis sealed along the dashed lines of the second set of seals1929-2 and while the blank1900-bremains in the folded and partially sealed state, the blank1900-bis sealed with continuous seals along the dashed lines of the third set of seals1929-3. The third set of seals1929-3 is represented by the dashed lines having a shortest dash length inFIG. 19.

The third set of seals1929-2 includes: one pair of linear segments that extend in parallel from the left side edge of the blank1900-b, inward to the trapezoidal shape; a first three sided shape, having a first side extending from the upper parallel segment, along an upper portion of the left side edge of the blank1900-b, a second side extending along an outer portion of the top edge of the blank1900-b, and a third side extending from the top edge of the blank1900-bback to the upper parallel segment; a second three sided shape, having a first side extending from the lower parallel segment, along a lower portion of the left side edge of the blank1900-b, a second side extending along an outer portion of the bottom edge of the blank1900-b, and a third side extending from the bottom edge of the blank1900-bback to the lower parallel segment; and, a pair of linear segments that extend next to and along outer portions of the trapezoidal shape from the first set of seals192-1.

Since the third set of seals1929-3 is made while the blank1900-bis folded, the third set of seals1929-3 seals through the left side of the second shaped cutout1929-b2, the left side and the (original) right side of the first shaped cutout1929-b1, and the (original) right side of the second shaped cutout1929-b2. The sealing of the parallel linear segments from the third set of seals1929-3 forms a product dispensing path in the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b; the product dispensing path can be closed and/or sealed with any kind of suitable closure, seal, or dispenser disclosed herein or known in the art. The sealing of the other linear segments from the third set of seals1929-3 forms portions of the top of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b, and also fully seals the structural support frame of the flexible container being made from the blank1900-b.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can include one or more product spaces, each product space having a product space construction, and any of the product space constructions can be partly, substantially, or fully based on part, parts, or all of one or more common folding patterns and/or can be partly, substantially, or fully based on part, parts, or all of one or more common sealing patterns.

While the embodiment ofFIG. 19 is exemplary, other flexible containers of the present disclosure can be formed using various alternate sealing patterns and folding patterns, based on the descriptions provided in connection with the embodiment ofFIG. 19 and by using the methods for sealing, folding, filling, expanding, and otherwise making such flexible containers, as described, illustrated, and referenced herein, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. Any such folding and sealing patterns can be applied to any line-ups of flexible containers disclosed herein.

Also, in a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, for both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up, wherein each container has a container construction, any of the container constructions can be partly, substantially, or fully based on part, parts, or all of one or more common folding patterns and/or can be partly, substantially, or fully based on part, parts, or all of one or more common sealing patterns.

FIG. 20A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2000-a, having a first actual amount of a fluent product2051-a. The flexible container2000-ais the same as theflexible container200 ofFIGS. 2A-2D, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The flexible container2000-ais standing upright with its bottom resting on ahorizontal support surface2001. The flexible container2000-aincludes a structural support frame2040-aand a product space2050-athat is visible inFIG. 20A through a portion of a panel2080-athat is illustrated as broken away. The product space2050-ahas a particular size and shape. A fluent product2051-ais disposed in the product space2050-a. The top of the flexible container2000-aincludes a dispenser2060-athat is closed by a cap. A branding logo2034-a, a branding trademark2032-a, and an external amount indicium2030-aare disposed on the outside of the panel2080-a. The external amount indicium2030-aindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product2051-athat is being offered for sale with the container2000-a. In the embodiment ofFIG. 20A, the flexible container2000-acontains a first actual amount of the fluent product2051-a, wherein the first actual amount is equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2030-a. Inside the product space2050-a, the fluent product2051-aforms a fill line2054-aat a closed fill height2055-a; the fluent product2051-asits below the fill line2054-aand a headspace2058-aexists above the fill line2054-a. In various embodiments, the flexible container2000-aofFIG. 20A can be configured according to one or more structures and/or features of one or more of any of the embodiments of the flexible containers ofFIGS. 23A, 24A, 25A, 26A, 27A, 28A, 29A, 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, and 37A (individually or in combination), including any alternative embodiments, as described herein, so that, when the first actual amount of the fluent product2051-ais added to the product space2050-a, the fluent product2051-aforms the fill line2054-aat a particular fill height, which is the closed fill height2055-a.

FIG. 20B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2000-b, having a second amount of a fluent product2051-b. The flexible container2000-bis the same as the flexible container2000-aofFIG. 20A, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. The external amount indicium2030-bindicates a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”) of the fluent product2051-bthat is being offered for sale with the container2000-b. In the embodiment ofFIG. 20B, the flexible container2000-bcontains a second actual amount of the fluent product2051-b, wherein the second actual amount is equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2030-b. InFIG. 20B, the second actual amount of the fluent product2051-bin the container2000-bis greater than the first actual amount of the fluent product2051-ain the container2000-aofFIG. 20A. In various embodiments, the flexible container2000-bof FIG.20B can be configured according to one or more structures and/or features of one or more of any of the embodiments of the flexible containers ofFIGS. 23B, 24B, 25B, 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B, 30B, 31B, 32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, and 37A (individually or in any combination), including any alternative embodiments, as described herein, so that, when the second actual amount of the fluent product2051-bis added to the product space2050-b, the fluent product2051-bforms a fill line2054-bat a closed fill height2055-b. Although the flexible container2000-bhas at least some external dimensions that are similar to (or the same as) external dimensions of the flexible container2000-a, the closed fill height2055-bis not higher than the closed fill height2055-aofFIG. 20A. InFIG. 20B, the closed fill height2055-bis equal to the closed fill height2055-aofFIG. 20A, even though the second actual amount of the fluent product2051-bis greater than the first actual amount of the fluent product2051-a.

The flexible containers ofFIGS. 20A-20C can be used in various combinations to form line-ups of the present disclosure, as described below.

In one example of a line-up from this first set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-cdescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein. In another example of a line-up from this first set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-bdescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein.

In a second set of embodiments of the present disclosure, in a line-up of flexible containers having similar constructions, one of the containers can hold relatively less fluent product at an unexpectedly high fill height. This line-up of flexible containers can comprise a first disposable self-supporting flexible container and a second disposable self-supporting flexible container. Any or all of the containers in the line-up may or may not be configured for retail sale. The first container can have: a first product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a first folding pattern; a first external amount indicium that indicates a first listed amount of a first fluent product that is being offered for sale with the first container; a first actual amount of the first fluent product, disposed in the first product space, wherein the first actual amount is nearly equal to the first listed amount; and a first closed fill height for the first fluent product in the first product space. The second container can have: a second product space having a second product space construction that is based, at least in part, on a second folding pattern that is substantially the same as the first folding pattern; a second external amount indicium that indicates a second listed amount of a second fluent product that is being offered for sale with the second container (the second fluent product may be similar to, or the same as, or different from the first fluent product), wherein the second listed amount is a particular percentage less than the first listed amount, and the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 0.1% and less than or equal to 70%; a second actual amount of the second fluent product, disposed in the second product space, wherein the second actual amount is nearly equal to the second listed amount; and a second closed fill height for the second fluent product in the second product space, wherein the second closed fill height is within a particular range of calculated values (explained herein) that represent an unexpectedly high fill height.

In one example of a line-up from this second set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-cdescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein. In another example of a line-up from this second set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-bdescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments in the first or second set of embodiments, described above, the particular percentage can be greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 70%, or any integer value for percentage between 1% and 70%, or any range formed by any of these integer values, such as: greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 60%, greater than or equal to 2% and less than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 3% and less than or equal to 40%, etc. Also, in a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments described herein, the second product space of the second container can have a second total capacity that is 1% to 70% less than a first total capacity of the first product space of the first container, or the second total capacity can be less than the first total capacity by any integer value for percentage between 1% and 70%, or by any range formed by any of these integer values, such as 5-70%, 10-60%, 15-50%, 20-40%, etc.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments in the first or second set of embodiments, described above, the first container and the second container can have various headspace pressures as described below.

In various embodiments, the first container can have a first product space that is sealed closed and has a first headspace at a first sealed closed headspace pressure, while the second container can have a second product space that is sealed closed and has a second headspace at a second sealed closed headspace pressure that is 0-20% of the first sealed closed headspace pressure, or any integer value for percentage from 0% to 20%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 0-10%. When the second sealed closed headspace pressure in the product space of the second container is about the same as the first sealed closed headspace pressure in the product space of the first container—despite the fact that the containers have similar constructions, and the second container has a lesser amount of fluent product—this can indicate that the product spaces of the containers are configured to not apply significant (positive or negative) forces on the fluent product that they contain, when sealed closed. These kinds of configurations can be accomplished by permanently increasing a total capacity of the first product space of the first flexible container and/or by permanently decreasing a total capacity of the second product space of the second flexible container, as described herein.

And, in various embodiments, a flexible container can have a product space that is sealed closed at a sealed closed headspace pressure that is 0-20% of atmospheric pressure, or any integer value for percentage from 0% to 20%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 0-10%. When a sealed closed headspace pressure in the product space of a container is about the same as atmospheric pressure, this can indicate that the product space of the container is configured to not apply significant (positive or negative) forces on the fluent product that it contains, when sealed closed. This kind of configuration can be accomplished by permanently setting a total capacity of a product space in the flexible container, as described herein.

Further, in various embodiments, a flexible container can have a product space that is sealed closed with fluent product at a sealed closed fill height, wherein the container is configured such that, when the product space is opened, the fluent product in the product space assumes an open fill height that is within 30% of the sealed closed fill height, or any integer value for percentage from 0% to 30%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 0-20% or 0-10%. Also, the open fill height can be within 0-6 centimeters of the sealed closed fill height, or any integer value for centimeters from 0 to 6, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 0-4 centimeters or 0-2 centimeters. When an open fill height in the product space of a flexible container is similar to the sealed closed fill height in the product space of the container—despite the fact that the container is open, such that the product space is vented and can equalize with the pressure of the environment—this can indicate that the product space of the container is configured to not apply significant (positive or negative) forces on the fluent product that it contains, when sealed closed. This kind of configuration can be accomplished by permanently setting a total capacity of a product space in the flexible container, as described herein.

In one example of a line-up from this third set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-cdescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein. In another example of a line-up from this third set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-bdescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein.

When the second overall external displacement of the second container is greater than or equal to the first overall external displacement of the first container—despite the fact that the second container has a lesser amount of fluent product—this can indicate that the containers are configured to have internal capacities that are different, but external dimensions that are similar (or the same). These kinds of configurations can be accomplished by changing product spaces within flexible containers, as described herein.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments in the fourth set of embodiments, described above, the particular percentage can be greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 70%, or any integer value for percentage between 5% and 70%, or any range formed by any of these integer values, such as: greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 60%, greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 50%, greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 40%, etc.

In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments in the fourth set of embodiments, described above, second overall external displacement can be: greater than and about equal to the first overall external displacement, greater than and approximately equal to the first overall external displacement, greater than and substantially equal to the first overall external displacement, and/or greater than and nearly equal to the first overall external displacement.

In one example of a line-up from this fourth set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-cdescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein. In another example of a line-up from this fourth set of embodiments, any embodiment of the flexible container2000-bdescribed herein can be used as the first container in the line-up (as described above) while any embodiment of the flexible container2000-adescribed herein can be used as the second container in the line-up (as described above); these containers can also be used with any variation of this line-up described herein.

FIG. 21 is achart2170 that illustrates various relationships betweenfill height2171 and fillvolume2172 in product spaces for various types and configurations of containers. Thechart2170, along with its lines, curves, and areas, is considered drawn to scale, unless otherwise indicated. In various embodiments, thefill height2171 in thechart2170 can represent a closed fill height, a sealed closed fill height, and/or an open fill height, as defined and described herein. Thefill volume2172 represents how full a product space is, which is based on an amount of fluent product in the product space.

Thefill height2171 is represented on the vertical axis of thechart2170 as percentages from 120% to 0% where 100% represents a fill height of a fluent product in a product space that is 100% filled with the fluent product and 0% represents a fill height of a fluent product in a product space that is 0% filled with the fluent product. Thefill volume2172 is represented on the horizontal axis of thechart2170 as percentages from 100% to 0% where 100% represents a reference amount of fluent product in a product space of a container that is 100% filled with a fluent product, 0% represents a product space in a container that is 0% filled with a fluent product, and percentages between 0% and 100% represent an amount of fluent product that is scaled to the reference amount.

The lines, curves, and areas on thechart2170 represent howfill height2171 can vary withfill volume2172 for various types and configurations of product spaces in containers. For each particular product space, the fill height depends on the amount of fluent product in the product space—and the geometry and/or configuration of the product space. Part, parts, or all of aproportional line2173 represent a container with a particular product space, whereinfill height2171 varies in direct proportion to thefill volume2172, as described and illustrated in connection with the conventional rigid containers ofFIGS. 15A-15C.

Below theproportional line2173 is alower boundary curve2174. Part, parts, or all of thelower boundary curve2174 represent a container with a product space, whereinfill height2171 at first drops very quickly as thefill volume2172 initially decreases from 100% filled, then curves and drops quite slowly as thefill volume2172 approaches 0% filled. Thelower boundary curve2174 represents a product space with a particular geometry and/or configuration, wherein the higher portions of the product space account for only a small portion of the filled volume, while the lower portions of the product space account for nearly all of the filled volume. As illustrated in thechart2170, on thelower boundary curve2174, with only a 10% reduction (from 100% to 90%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 drops quickly from 100% to about 50%, and then with a further 10% reduction (from 90% to 80%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 drops quickly again from about 50% to about 30%. Also as illustrated inFIG. 21, on thelower boundary curve2174, for the last 50% reduction (from 50% to 0%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 drops slowly from about 10% to 0%. So, in the product space that is represented by the lower boundary curve, most of the volume of the fluent product in the product space is found in the lowest portions of the product space.

Thelower boundary curve2174 and theproportional line2173, together enclose a lower area2174-aon thechart2170. The lower area2174-arepresents a range of product spaces, wherein as thefill volume2172 initially decreases from 100% filled thefill height2171 at first drops more quickly (than the proportional line2173), then as thefill volume2172 approaches 0% filled thefill height2171 drops more slowly (than the proportional line2173). The lower area2174-acan include any number of curves and/or lines (not shown) that represent various relationships between fill height and fill volume within the range of product spaces, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. For filled product spaces that fall within the lower area2174-a, more of the fluent product in the product space is found in the lower portions of the product space than in the upper portions of the product space, which is common in conventional containers for fluent products, and is especially common in conventional flexible containers for fluent products.

Above theproportional line2173 is anupper boundary curve2175. Part, parts, or all of theupper boundary curve2175 represent a container with a product space, wherein as thefill volume2172 initially decreases from 100% filled thefill height2171 at first unexpectedly rises, then as thefill volume2172 further decreases thefill height2171 curves and drops quite slowly, then as thefill volume2172 approaches 0% filled thefill height2171 drops very quickly. Theupper boundary curve2175 represents a container with a particular geometry and configuration, wherein the product space is configured such that upper portions of the product space account for a large portion of the filled volume, while the lower portions of the product space account for a small portion of the filled volume. As illustrated inFIG. 21, on theupper boundary curve2175, with a 10% reduction (from 100% to 90%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 rises from 100% to about 120%, and then with a further 70% reduction (from 90% to 20%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 drops to about 100%, then for the last 20% reduction (from 20% to 0%) infill volume2172 thefill height2171 drops slowly from about 100% to 0%. So, in the product space that is represented by theupper boundary curve2175, most of the volume of the fluent product in the product space is found in the upper portions of the product space and the product space is unconventionally configured with higher fill heights for initially lesser amount of fluent product, according to various embodiments disclosed herein.

In various embodiments, locations along theupper boundary curve2175 can also represent product spaces for two or more flexible containers that form a line-up of flexible containers, as described herein. For example, in an exemplary line-up of containers, a first flexible container in the line-up can have a first product space wherein a first amount of fluent product corresponding with a first fill volume rises to a first fill height at a first point along theupper boundary curve2175, while a second flexible container in the line-up can have a second product space wherein a second amount of fluent product (that differs from the first amount) corresponding with a second fill volume rises to a second fill height at a second point along theupper boundary curve2175.

Theupper boundary curve2175 and theproportional line2173, together enclose an upper area2175-aon thechart2170. The upper area2175-arepresents a range of containers, whereinfill height2171 at first unexpectedly rises, or unexpectedly remains constant, or unexpectedly drops more slowly than theproportional line2173 as thefill volume2172 initially decreases from 100% filled, then drops and/or drops more quickly as thefill volume2172 approaches 0% filled. The upper area2175-acan include any number of curves and/or lines (not shown) that represent various relationships between fill height and fill volume within the range of product spaces, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. For filled product spaces that fall within the upper area2175-a, more of the fluent product in the product space can be found in the upper portions of the product space than in the lower portions of the product space and the product space can be configured with fill heights that behave in unexpected ways for initially lesser amounts of fluent product in the product space, according to various embodiments disclosed herein. A product space configuration that falls anywhere within the upper area2175-acan be used for any embodiment of flexible container described herein.

In various embodiments, locations within the upper boundary area2175-acan also represent product spaces for two or more flexible containers that form a line-up of flexible containers, as described herein. For example, in an exemplary line-up of containers, a first flexible container in the line-up can have a first product space wherein a first amount of fluent product corresponding with a first fill volume rises to a first fill height at a first point within the upper boundary area2175-a, while a second flexible container in the line-up can have a second product space wherein a second amount of fluent product (that differs from the first amount) corresponding with a second fill volume rises to a second fill height at a second point within the upper boundary area2175-a.

The upper boundary area2175-aalso includes five modeled boundaries, including a first modeled boundary2176-1, a second modeled boundary2176-2, a third modeled boundary2176-3, a fourth modeled boundary2176-4, and a fifth modeled boundary2176-5. Part, parts, or all of each of these modeled boundaries can represent a container with a particular geometry and/or configuration, wherein the modeled boundary represents various relationships between fill height and fill volume within a product space. Locations along each of these modeled boundaries can also represent product spaces for two or more flexible containers that form a line-up of flexible containers, as described herein.

In combination with theproportional line2173, the five modeled boundaries2176-1 through2176-5 enclose five modeled areas, including a first modeled area2176-1a, a second modeled area2176-2a, a third modeled area2176-3a, a fourth modeled area2176-4a, and a fifth modeled area2176-5a. Each of these modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5arepresents a particular subset of the upper boundary area2175-a. And, each of these modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5acan include any number of curves and/or lines (not shown) that represent various relationships between fill height and fill volume within the ranges of the corresponding product spaces, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

Since flexible containers for fluent products have product space configurations that most commonly fall within the lower area2174-a, theproportional line2173 can be considered a reasonable upper limit for the relationship between fill height and fill volume in a product space of a conventional flexible container (e.g. a pouch) for a fluent product. In a product space of a conventional flexible container for a fluent product, as fill volume initially decreases, a person skilled in the art would not expect fill height to drop more slowly than in direct proportion to the fill volume (i.e. more slowly than along the proportional line2173). So, a person skilled in the art would not expect such a product space to have a relationship between fill height and fill volume that exists above theproportional line2173. And, a person skilled in the art would also not expect two conventional flexible containers that have product spaces with product space constructions that are similar or the same to have a relationship between fill height and fill volume that exists above theproportional line2173. This understanding can be used as a basis for a first mathematical expression, which is:

FH 2 > FH 1 \times (\frac{FV 2}{FV 1})

wherein:

FH2=second fill height, which is a fill height for a second particular amount of fluent product in a second product space of a second container,

FH1=first fill height, which is a fill height for a first particular amount of fluent product in a first product space of a first container, wherein the first product space has one or more defined similarities with respect to the second product space,

FV2=second fill volume, which is a second particular amount of fluent product in the second product space, wherein the second fill volume is less than a first fill volume,

FV1=first fill volume, which is a first particular amount of fluent product in the first product space.

The first mathematical expression states that the second fill height (FH2) is greater than: the first fill height (FH1) times the ratio of the second fill volume to the first fill volume (FV2/FV1). The ratio of the second fill volume to the first fill volume (FV2/FV1) represents a directly proportional relationship between the fill volumes. As a result, the first particular mathematical expression indicates that, in line-ups of flexible containers disclosed herein, the second fill height (FH2) is higher than the proportional line2173 (i.e. higher than a directly proportional relationship to fill volume), when the second product space is filled with less fluent product. So, the first mathematical expression represents the lower limit for each of the five modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5a.

A first form of a second mathematical expression and a first form of a third mathematical expression together represent the five modeled boundaries2176-1 through2176-5, which form the upper limits for each of the five modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5a, respectively. The first form of the second mathematical expression represents the portions of the upper limits that extend from 100% filled to 30% filled. The first form of the third mathematical expression represents the portions of the upper limits that extend from 30% filled to 0% filled.

A first form of the second mathematical expression (for 100% to 30% filled) is:

FH 2 = FH 1 \times (1 - ((1 - \frac{FV 2}{FV 1}) \times SF)))

and a first form of the third mathematical expression (for 30% to 0% filled) is:

FH 2 = FH 1 \times (\frac{FV 2}{FV 1}) \times (1 + (\frac{7}{3} \times (1 - SF)))

wherein, for both the second and third mathematical expressions:

FV1=first fill volume, which is a first particular amount of fluent product in the first product space, SF=scaling factor (can range from 0.00 to 0.99, in any increment of 0.01).

The first form of the second mathematical expression states that (from 100% to 30% filled), along a modeled boundary, the second fill height (FH2) drops linearly, more slowly than theproportional line2173. The first form of the third mathematical expression states that (from 30% to 0% filled), along a modeled boundary, the second fill height (FH2) drops linearly, more quickly than theproportional line2173.

For the fifth modeled boundary2176-5, the scaling factor (SF) equals 0.8. For the fourth modeled boundary2176-4, the scaling factor (SF) equals 0.6. For the third modeled boundary2176-3, the scaling factor (SF) equals 0.4. For the second modeled boundary2176-2, the scaling factor (SF) equals 0.2. For the first modeled boundary2176-1, the scaling factor (SF) equals 0.0. Table 1, below, shows exemplary values for the second fill height (FH2) for each of the five modeled boundaries2176-1 through2176-5, based on the scaling factors listed above.

TABLE 1

		Scaling Factor

	FV2 (%)	0.00	0.20	0.40	0.60	0.80

Second	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Mathematical	90%	100%	98%	96%	94%	92%
Expression
	80%	100%	96%	92%	88%	84%
	70%	100%	94%	88%	82%	76%
	60%	100%	92%	84%	76%	68%
	50%	100%	90%	80%	70%	60%
	40%	100%	88%	76%	64%	52%
	30%	100%	86%	72%	58%	44%
First
	30%	100%	86%	72%	58%	44%
Mathematical	20%	67%	57%	48%	39%	29%
Expression
	10%	33%	29%	24%	19%	15%
	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%

The results in Table 1 are consistent with the modeled boundaries2176-1 through2176-5 illustrated on thechart2170.

While the first forms of the second and third mathematical expressions define the modeled boundaries2176-1 through2176-5, second forms of these expressions are used to define the modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5a. The difference between the first forms and the second forms is that the equal signs (for use with the boundaries) are replaced by less than or equal to signs (for use with the areas), to indicate that within the modeled areas, the second fill height (FH2) is less than or equal to the modeled boundaries. So, the second form of the second mathematical expression (for 100% to 30% filled) is:

FH 2 \leq FH 1 \times (1 - ((1 - \frac{FV 2}{FV 1}) \times SF)))

and the second form of the third mathematical expression (for 30% to 0% filled) is:

FH 2 \leq FH 1 \times (\frac{FV 2}{FV 1}) \times (1 + (\frac{7}{3} \times (1 - SF)))

So, each of the five modeled areas2176-1athrough2176-5ahas a lower limit defined by the first mathematical expression and an upper limit defined by the second form of the second mathematical expression (for 100% to 30%) and by the second form of the third mathematical expression (30% to 0%), with a scaling factor (SF) of 0.0 for the first modeled area2176-1a,0.2 for the second modeled area2176-2a,0.4 for the third modeled area2176-3a,0.6 for the fourth modeled area2176-4a, and 0.8 for the fifth modeled area2176-5a.

FIG. 22A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2200-awith a structural support frame, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinFIG. 22 shows an exemplary squeeze panel2280-aand an exemplary squeeze panel profile2280-p. The parts of the flexible container2200-aare illustrated in phantom lines, except that the squeeze panel profile2280-pis illustrated in solid lines. In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can include one or more squeeze panels (e.g. front squeeze panel, back squeeze panel, squeeze panels on multiple sides, etc.), each squeeze panel having a squeeze panel profile, and any of the squeeze panels can have a size and/or shape that is about, or approximately, or substantially, or nearly similar to or the same as a size and/or shape of a squeeze panel profile of another squeeze panel of another flexible container in the line-up.

FIG. 22B illustrates a view of a front2202-1bof a flexible container2200-awith a structural support frame, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinFIG. 22 shows an exemplary overall front profile2202-1p. The parts of the flexible container2200-aare illustrated in phantom lines, except that the overall front profile2202-1pis illustrated in solid lines. In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can include an overall front profile having a size and/or shape that is about, or approximately, or substantially, or nearly similar to or the same as a size and/or shape of an overall front profile of another flexible container in the line-up. In the same way that a flexible container can have an overall front profile, a flexible container can have an overall back profile, which can also be similar or the same among containers in a line-up of flexible containers.

FIG. 22C illustrates a view of a side2209-cof a flexible container2200-cwith a structural support frame, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, whereinFIG. 22 shows alongitudinal centerline2214, a front2202-1c, and a back2202-2cof the flexible container2200-c, along with an exemplary overall side profile2209-p. The parts of the flexible container2200-care illustrated in phantom lines, except that the overall side profile2209-pis illustrated in solid lines. In a line-up of flexible containers, according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, both or all of the flexible containers in the line-up can include an overall side profile having a size and/or shape that is about, or approximately, or substantially, or nearly similar to or the same as a size and/or shape of an overall side profile of another flexible container in the line-up; the similarity or sameness may apply to front halves of the overall side profiles, or back halves of the overall side profiles, or both front and back halves of the overall side profiles. In various embodiments described herein, a line-up of flexible containers can include a first container having a first overall side profile and a second container having a second overall side profile, wherein a front half of the second overall side profile has about, or approximately, or substantially, or nearly the same size and shape as a front half of the first overall side profile, and a back half of the second overall side profile has a smaller size than a back half of the first overall side profile.

FIG. 22 shows two exemplary side profile central depth measurements of the flexible container2200-c. The flexible container2200-chas a front side profile central depth measurement2209-1cdthat is measured linearly from thelongitudinal centerline2214 of the container2200-c, parallel to a third centerline of the container, to a farthest point2202-1fpon the squeeze panel2209-pprofile of the container2200-c, in a front of the container2200-c. The flexible container2200-chas a back side profile central depth measurement2209-2cdthat is measured linearly from thelongitudinal centerline2214 of the container2200-c, parallel to a third centerline of the container, to a farthest point2202-2fpon the squeeze panel profile2209-pof the container2200-c, in a front of the container2200-c.

FIGS. 23A-37C illustrate various line-ups of flexible containers wherein, for each particular Figure Number, the container of Figure Number A, the container of Figure Number B, and the container of Figure Number C, represent various containers for inclusion in a line-up, as disclosed herein. The flexible containers of these line-ups are made to have some dimensions that are similar and/or the same and some dimensions that differ, and various amounts of fluent product, according to embodiments described herein. Each of the flexible containers inFIGS. 23A-37C is the same as theflexible container200 ofFIGS. 2A-2D, with like-numbered elements configured in the same way, except as described below. For clarity, not all structural details of these flexible containers are illustrated inFIGS. 23A-37C, however any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 23C-37C can be configured to include any structure or feature for flexible containers, disclosed herein. For example, any of the embodiments ofFIGS. 23A-37C can be configured to include any kind of structural support frame disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the flexible containers ofFIGS. 23C-37C may be sealed or may not be sealed.

FIGS. 23A-23C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having differing overall top widths, and differing amounts of fluent product, but the same closed fill height.

FIG. 23A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2300-a, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2330-aindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2300-a. A product space of the flexible container2300-acontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2330-a. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2354-aat a closed fill height2355-a. An uppermost part of a top of the container2300-a(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top width2304-owa, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2300-ahas an overall bottom width2308-owa.

FIG. 23B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2300-b, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2330-bindicates a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2300-b. A product space of the flexible container2300-bcontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2330-b. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2354-bat a closed fill height2355-b. An uppermost part of a top of the container2300-b(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top width2304-owb, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2300-bhas an overall bottom width2308-owb. When compared with the flexible container2300-aofFIG. 23A, the flexible container2300-bcontains more fluent product and has a larger overall top width2304-owb, but has the same overall bottom width2308-owband the same closed fill height2355-b. The larger overall top width2304-owbenables the flexible container2300-bto have a product space that holds more fluent product at the same closed fill height2355-b, with the same overall bottom width2308-owb. In various embodiments, the flexible container2300-bmay have an overall thickness and/or overall height that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2300-aofFIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C illustrates a front view of a flexible container2300-c, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2330-cindicates a particular listed amount (designated “<<X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2300-c. A product space of the flexible container2300-ccontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2330-c. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2354-cat a closed fill height2355-c. An uppermost part of a top of the container2300-c(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top width2304-owc, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2300-bhas an overall bottom width2308-owc. When compared with the flexible container2300-aofFIG. 23A, the flexible container2300-ccontains less fluent product and has a smaller overall top width2304-owc, but has the same overall bottom width2308-owc, and the same closed fill height2355-c. The smaller overall top width2304-otcenables the flexible container2300-cto have a product space that holds less fluent product at the same closed fill height2355-b, with the same overall bottom width2308-otc. In various embodiments, the flexible container2300-cmay have an overall thickness and/or overall height that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2300-aofFIG. 23A.

FIGS. 24A-24C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having differing overall top thicknesses, and differing amounts of fluent product, but the same closed fill height.

FIG. 24A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2400-a, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. A product space of the flexible container2400-acontains a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which forms a fill line2454-aat a closed fill height2455-a. An uppermost part of a top of the container2400-a(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top thickness2404-ota, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2400-ahas an overall thickness width2408-ota.

FIG. 24B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2400-b, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. A product space of the flexible container2400-bcontains a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which forms a fill line2454-bat a closed fill height2455-b. An uppermost part of a top of the container2400-b(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top thickness2404-otb, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2400-bhas an overall bottom thickness2408-otb. When compared with the flexible container2400-aofFIG. 24A, the flexible container2400-bcontains more fluent product and has a larger overall top thickness2404-otb, but has the same overall bottom thickness2408-otband the same closed fill height2455-b. The larger overall top thickness2404-otbenables the flexible container2400-bto have a product space that holds more fluent product at the same closed fill height2455-b, with the same overall bottom thickness2408-otb. In various embodiments, the flexible container2400-bmay have an overall width and/or overall height that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2400-aofFIG. 24A.

FIG. 24C illustrates a front view of a flexible container2400-c, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. A product space of the flexible container2400-ccontains a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which forms a fill line2454-cat a closed fill height2455-c. An uppermost part of a top of the container2400-c(excluding the dispenser and cap) has an overall top thickness2404-otc, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2400-bhas an overall bottom thickness2408-otc. When compared with the flexible container2400-aofFIG. 24A, the flexible container2400-ccontains less fluent product and has a smaller overall top thickness2404-otc, but has the same overall bottom thickness2408-otc, and the same closed fill height2455-c. The smaller overall top thickness2404-otcenables the flexible container2400-cto have a product space that holds less fluent product at the same closed fill height2455-b, with the same overall bottom thickness2408-otc. In various embodiments, the flexible container2400-cmay have an overall width and/or overall height that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2400-aofFIG. 24A.

FIGS. 25A-25C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having differing overall heights, and differing closed fill heights, but the same amount of fluent product.

FIG. 25A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2500-a, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2530-aindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2500-a. A product space of the flexible container2500-acontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2530-a. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2554-aat a closed fill height2555-a. The container2500-ahas an overall height2504-oha, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2500-ahas an overall bottom width2508-owa.

FIG. 25B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2500-b, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2530-bindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2500-b. A product space of the flexible container2500-bcontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2530-b. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2554-bat a closed fill height2555-b. The container2500-bhas an overall height2504-ohb, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2500-bhas an overall bottom width2508-owb. When compared with the flexible container2500-aofFIG. 25A, the flexible container2500-bcontains the same amount of fluent product and has the same overall bottom width2508-owb, but has a taller overall height2504-ohb(with the same dispenser and cap), and a higher closed fill height2555-b. The flexible configuration of the product space enables the flexible container2500-bto hold the same amount of fluent product at a higher closed fill height2555-b, with the same overall bottom width2508-owb, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the flexible container2500-bmay have an overall thickness and/or overall top width that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2500-aofFIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C illustrates a front view of a flexible container2500-c, having a product space that is visible through a portion of a panel that is illustrated as broken away. An external amount indicium2530-cindicates a particular listed amount (designated “X”) of the fluent product that is being offered for sale with the container2500-c. A product space of the flexible container2500-ccontains an actual amount of the fluent product equal to the particular listed amount in the external amount indicium2530-c. Inside the product space, the fluent product forms a fill line2554-cat a closed fill height2555-c. The container2500-chas an overall height2504-ohc, and a lowermost part of a bottom of the container2500-bhas an overall bottom width2508-otc. When compared with the flexible container2500-aofFIG. 25A, the flexible container2500-ccontains the same amount of fluent product and has the same overall bottom width2508-owc, but has a shorter overall height2504-ohc(with the same dispenser and cap), and a lower closed fill height2555-c. The flexible configuration of the product space enables the flexible container2500-cto hold the same amount of fluent product at a lower closed fill height2555-c, with the same overall bottom width2508-owc, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the flexible container2500-cmay have an overall thickness and/or overall top width that is the same as, similar to, or different from the flexible container2500-aofFIG. 25A.

FIGS. 26A-26C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having differing overall side profiles, and differing amounts of fluent product, but the same closed fill height.

In various embodiments, the flexible container2600-bofFIG. 26B may have an overall width and/or overall height and/or overall thickness that is the same as, similar to, or different from corresponding dimension(s) in the flexible container2600-aofFIG. 26A. Also, in various embodiments, the flexible container2600-bofFIG. 26B may have a squeeze panel profile and/or an overall front profile and/or overall back profile with a size and/or shape that is the same as, similar to, or different from corresponding profile(s) of the flexible container2600-aofFIG. 26A.

In various embodiments, the flexible container2600-cofFIG. 26C may have an overall width and/or overall height and/or overall thickness that is the same as, similar to, or different from corresponding dimension(s) in the flexible container2600-aofFIG. 26A. Also, in various embodiments, the flexible container2600-cofFIG. 26C may have a squeeze panel profile and/or an overall front profile and/or overall back profile with a size and/or shape that is the same as, similar to, or different from corresponding profile(s) of the flexible container2600-aofFIG. 26A.

FIGS. 27A-27C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing treatments for increasing the rigidity of the squeeze panel.

FIG. 27A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2700-a, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2730-a. The flexible container2700-aincludes a structural support frame2740-aand a squeeze panel2780-amade from one or more flexible materials.

The squeeze panel2780-aincludes a treated area2780-ta, which is treated with one or more treatments that increase the rigidity of flexible materials, as described below. While the squeeze panel2780-ahas one treated area2780-ta, a squeeze panel can have any number of treated areas. The treated area2780-tais an oval shaped portion of the squeeze panel2780-a, however a treated area can have any convenient size and shape. The treated area2780-tais laterally centered on a middle portion of the squeeze panel2780-a, however a treated area can be disposed on any part of a squeeze panel. A treated area may extend over part, parts, or all of a top, middle, or bottom portion of a squeeze panel, in any convenient arrangement. A treated area may or may not be centered on the squeeze panel, may or may not be laterally centered on the flexible container, and may or may not be adjacent to one or more portions of an outer periphery of the squeeze panel. The treated area2780-tais surrounded on all sides by an untreated portion of the squeeze panel2780-a, however this particular relationship with surrounding elements is not required. The treated area2780-tais a continuous area, however, in various embodiments a treated area may be discontinuous (e.g. may include and/or be separated by one or more untreated portions) in any regular or irregular pattern. A treated area can cover 1-100% of an area of a squeeze panel, or any integer value for percentage from 1-100%, or within any range formed by any of these values, such as 1-90%, 1-80%, 1-70%, 1-60% %, 1-50%, 1-40%, 1-30%, 1-20%, 1-10%, 10-100%, 20-100%, 30-100%, 40-100%, 50-100%, 60-100%, 70-100%, 80-100%, 90-100%, 10-90%, 20-80%, 30-70%, 40-60%, 45-55%, etc. Any embodiment of a flexible container disclosed herein can include a squeeze panel with the treated area2780-taas described and illustrated in connection with flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A, including any alternative embodiments. In various embodiments, a treated area that increases the rigidity of flexible materials can be similarly included on flexible materials of any portion of a flexible container, including a panel that may not be considered a squeeze panel.

Within the treated area2780-ta, some or all of flexible material(s) of the squeeze panel2780-a, can be treated with one or more of the treatments described below. The flexible materials can be chemically treated to increase their rigidity and/or to decrease their extensibility. The flexible materials can be coated to increase their rigidity and/or to decrease their extensibility. The flexible materials can also be treated with radiation to promote cross-linking between polymers within the materials (or coated thereon) for increasing rigidity and/or decreasing extensibility. The flexible materials can also be treated in any other way known in the art of flexible materials, for increasing rigidity and/or decreasing extensibility.

A treated area can be treated at various points in the process for making a flexible container. As examples, one or more treatments can be applied to flexible materials before they are received, after they are received but before they are converted, or even after they are converted. However, one or more treatments may be conveniently applied to flexible materials after their unwinding but before they are singulated, to more easily align treated area(s) with specific locations on flexible containers.

FIG. 27B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2700-b, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2730-b. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container2700-bis greater than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A. The flexible container2700-bincludes a structural support frame2740-band a squeeze panel2780-bmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 27B, the squeeze panel2780-bdoes not include an area treated for increasing rigidity, so the untreated flexible materials of the squeeze panel2780-bare relatively less rigid and/or relatively more extensible than the treated portion(s) of the flexible materials of the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A. This difference in rigidity and/or extensibility enables the squeeze panel2780-bof the flexible container2700-bto bulge out to a relatively greater extent than the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A.

FIG. 27C illustrates a front view of a flexible container2700-c, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “<<X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2730-c. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container2700-cis less than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A. The flexible container2700-cincludes a structural support frame2740-cand a squeeze panel2780-cmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 27C, the squeeze panel2780-cincludes a treated area2780-tc. The treated area2780-tcincreases the rigidity of flexible materials, and is configured in the same way as the treated area2780-taofFIG. 27A, except that the treated area2780-tcis relatively larger than the treated area2780-taofFIG. 27A, so the squeeze panel2780-cis relatively more rigid and/or relatively less extensible than the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A. This difference in rigidity and/or extensibility enables the squeeze panel2780-cof the flexible container2700-cto bulge out to a relatively lesser extent than the squeeze panel2780-aof the flexible container2700-aofFIG. 27A.

FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing treatments for increasing the extensibility of the squeeze panel.

FIG. 28A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2800-a, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2830-a. The flexible container2800-aincludes a structural support frame2840-aand a squeeze panel2880-amade from one or more flexible materials.

The squeeze panel2880-aincludes a treated area2880-ta, which is treated with one or more treatments that increase the extensibility of flexible materials, as described below. The squeeze panel2880-ahas one treated area2880-ta, which is an oval shaped continuous area that is laterally centered on a middle portion of the squeeze panel2880-a, and surrounded on all sides by an untreated portion of the squeeze panel2880-a, however this particular configuration is not required, and the treated area2880-acan be configured in any manner disclosed herein for treated areas. Any embodiment of a flexible container disclosed herein can include a squeeze panel with the treated area2880-taas described and illustrated in connection with flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A, including any alternative embodiments. In various embodiments, a treated area that increases the extensibility of flexible materials can be similarly included on flexible materials of any portion of a flexible container, including on a panel that may not be considered a squeeze panel.

Within the treated area2880-ta, some or all of flexible material(s) of the squeeze panel2880-a, can be treated with one or more of the treatments described below. The flexible materials can be mechanically treated to increase their extensibility; for example, the flexible materials can be embossed and/or incrementally stretched. Examples of incremental stretching include those found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,741 entitled “Diaper with Waist Band Elastic” by Sabee in the name of Tuff Spun Products, Inc.; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,679 entitled “Method for sequentially stretching zero strain stretch laminate web to impart elasticity thereto without rupturing the web” by Weber, et al. in the name of The Procter & Gamble Company; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,793 entitled “Method for incrementally stretching zero strain stretch laminate web in a non-uniform manner to impart a varying degree of elasticity thereto” by Buell, et al. in the name of The Procter & Gamble Company; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,897 entitled “Method for incrementally stretching a zero strain stretch laminate web to impart elasticity thereto” by Weber, et al. in the name of The Procter & Gamble Company; each of which, is hereby incorporated by reference. The flexible materials can be thermally treated to increase their extensibility; for example, the flexible materials can be heated by conduction, convection, and/or radiation. The flexible materials can also be treated in any other way known in the art of flexible materials, for increasing extensibility and/or decreasing rigidity.

FIG. 28B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2800-b, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2830-b. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container2800-bis greater than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A. The flexible container2800-bincludes a structural support frame2840-band a squeeze panel2880-bmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 28B, the squeeze panel2880-bincludes a treated area2880-tb. The treated area2880-tbincreases the extensibility of flexible materials, and is configured in the same way as the treated area2880-taofFIG. 28A, except that the treated area2880-tbis relatively larger than the treated area2880-taofFIG. 28A, so the squeeze panel2880-bis relatively more extensible and/or relatively less rigid than the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A. This difference in rigidity and/or extensibility enables the squeeze panel2880-bof the flexible container2800-bto bulge out to a relatively greater extent than the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A.

FIG. 28C illustrates a front view of a flexible container2800-c, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “<<X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2830-c. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container2800-cis less than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A. The flexible container2800-cincludes a structural support frame2840-cand a squeeze panel2880-cmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 28C, the squeeze panel2880-cdoes not include an area treated for increasing extensibility, so the untreated flexible materials of the squeeze panel2880-care relatively less extensible and/or relatively more rigid than the treated portion(s) of the flexible materials of the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A. This difference in extensibility and/or rigidity enables the squeeze panel2880-cof the flexible container2600-cto bulge out to a relatively lesser extent than the squeeze panel2880-aof the flexible container2800-aofFIG. 28A.

FIGS. 29A-29C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing folds for decreasing the size of the overall side profiles of the containers.

FIG. 29A illustrates a front view of a flexible container2900-a, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2930-a. The flexible container2900-aincludes a structural support frame2940-aand a squeeze panel2980-amade from one or more flexible materials. The squeeze panel2980-aincludes two overlapping folds2980-pa, which are medium-sized, opposing folds, each having a pointed oblong shape, both disposed in a middle portion of the squeeze panel2980-a; however this particular configuration is not required, and various numbers, sizes, shapes, and locations of overlapping folds can be used. Together, the overlapping folds2980-patake-up a particular amount of one or more of the flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2980-a. This take-up enables the squeeze panel2980-aof the flexible container2900-bto bulge out to a relatively lesser extent than if the squeeze panel2980-adid not have the overlapping folds2980-pa. In addition to or in alternative to overlapping folds, one or more of the flexible materials that make a squeeze panel can be taken up with various other material connections such as one or more pleats, creases, crimps, tucks, darts, puckers, gathers, etc. in any combination. Overlapping folds and/or other take-ups can be configured in any convenient manner known in the art. The overlapping folds2980-aand/or other take-ups can also provide greater tension in the squeeze panel2980-a, than if the squeeze panel2980-adid not have the folds and/or take-ups.

FIG. 29B illustrates a front view of a flexible container2900-b, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”), indicated on an external amount indicium2930-b. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container2900-bis greater than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container2900-aofFIG. 29A. The flexible container2900-bincludes a structural support frame2940-band a squeeze panel2980-bmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel2980-aof the flexible container2900-aofFIG. 29A. In the embodiment ofFIG. 29B, the squeeze panel2980-bdoes not include overlapping folds or other take-ups, so more of the flexible materials of the squeeze panel2980-bare freely available, which enables the squeeze panel2980-bof the flexible container2900-bto bulge out to a relatively greater extent than the squeeze panel2980-aof the flexible container2900-aofFIG. 29A.

Overlapping folds and other take-ups can be applied at various points in the process for making a flexible container. As an example, one or more folds or take-ups may be conveniently applied to flexible materials along with other folding—to more easily form the folds in a web or sheet—and along with other sealing—to set the folds while sealing the flexible materials into a fixed arrangement.

FIGS. 30A-30C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing joining locations for decreasing the size of the overall side profiles of the containers.

FIG. 30B illustrates a front view of a flexible container3000-b, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”), indicated on an external amount indicium3030-b. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container3000-bis greater than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container3000-aofFIG. 30A. The flexible container3000-bincludes a structural support frame3040-band a squeeze panel3080-bmade from one or more flexible materials, which may or may not be the same flexible materials that make the squeeze panel3080-aof the flexible container3000-aofFIG. 30A. In the embodiment ofFIG. 30B, the squeeze panel3080-bdoes not include joining locations or other take-ins, so more of the flexible materials of the squeeze panel3080-bare freely available, which enables the squeeze panel3080-bof the flexible container3000-bto bulge out to a relatively greater extent than the squeeze panel3080-aof the flexible container3000-aofFIG. 30A.

Joining locations can be applied at various points in the process for making a flexible container. As an example, one or more joining locations or take-ins may be conveniently applied to flexible materials after other sealing—to set the joining locations when the flexible materials are sealed into a fixed arrangement.

FIGS. 31A-31C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing internal tie members for decreasing the size of the overall side profiles of the containers.

FIGS. 32A-33C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having squeeze panels with differing surface stiffening members for decreasing the size of the overall side profiles of the containers.

FIG. 32A illustrates a front view of a flexible container3200-a, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “X”), indicated on an external amount indicium3230-a. The flexible container3200-aincludes a structural support frame3240-aand a front panel3280-amade from one or more flexible materials. The area of the front panel3280-aincludes surface stiffening members3285-1athrough3285-5a. A surface stiffening member is a fillable space on a panel of flexible container, wherein the fillable space is made from one or more flexible materials, and wherein the space is configured to optionally be at least partially filled with one or more expansion materials, which create tension in the one or more flexible materials, and form an expanded surface stiffening member. In the embodiment ofFIG. 32A, the surface stiffening members3285-1athrough3285-5a, are five horizontally elongated panel sections, disposed over the entire front panel3280-a, from top to bottom; however this particular configuration is not required, and various numbers, sizes, shapes, locations, and distributions of surface stiffening members can be used, to cover various portions of a panel of a flexible container.

A surface stiffening member can be created in various ways, such as by selectively sealing portions of overlaid flexible materials, such as the flexible materials that can make a front panel or a back panel of a flexible container. A surface stiffening member can be expanded in any of the ways that a structural support member can be expanded, as described herein. In a flexible container, one or more surface stiffening members can be in fluid communication with each other and/or with one or more structural support volumes. The fluid communication can be always open or selectively open (e.g. controlled by a minimum required expansion pressure, or by a frangible seal, which breaks when subjected to a particular pressure, or through a flexible valve, which opens when subjected to a particular pressure).

Together, the expanded surface stiffening members3285-a1 and3285-5acreate tensions across top and bottom portions of the front panel3280-athat form the overall side profile for the flexible container3200-a. These tensions enable the front panel3280-aof the flexible container3200-ato bulge out to a relatively lesser extent than if the surface stiffening members3285-a1 and3285-5aon the front panel3280-awere not expanded.

FIG. 32B illustrates a front view of a flexible container3200-b, having a particular actual amount of a fluent product, which is equal to a particular listed amount (designated “>>X”), indicated on an external amount indicium3230-b. The particular actual amount of fluent product in the flexible container3200-bis greater than the particular actual amount of the fluent product in the flexible container3200-aofFIG. 32A. The flexible container3200-bincludes a structural support frame3240-band a front panel3280-bmade from one or more flexible materials. The area of the front panel3280-bincludes surface stiffening members3285-1bthrough3285-5band valves3284-1bthrough3284-6b, which are the same as the surface stiffening members3285-1athrough3285-5aand the valves3284-1athrough3284-6aof the flexible container3200-aofFIG. 32A, except as described below. In the embodiment ofFIG. 32B, none of the valves3284-1bthrough3284-6bare open and none of the surface stiffening members3285-1bthrough3285-5bare expanded, so more of the flexible materials of the front panel3280-bare freely available, which enables the front panel3280-bof the flexible container3200-bto bulge out to a relatively greater extent than the front panel3280-aof the flexible container3200-aofFIG. 32A.

FIG. 33A illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container3200-aofFIG. 32A, which illustrates the front panel3280-aand a front portion of an overall side profile3309-pafor the flexible container3200-a.

FIG. 33B illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container3200-bofFIG. 32B, which illustrates the front panel3280-band a front portion of an overall side profile3309-pbfor the flexible container3200-b.

FIG. 33C illustrates a partial internal cross-sectional side view of the flexible container3200-cofFIG. 32C, which illustrates the front panel3280-cand a front portion of an overall side profile3309-pcfor the flexible container3200-c.

FIGS. 34A-34C illustrate a line-up of flexible containers having the same overall side profiles, but differing amounts and/or pressures of expansion material in their structural support volumes.

FIGS. 36A-36C illustrate the flexible containers ofFIGS. 35A-35C, when their products spaces are filled with fluent product.

Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with part, parts, or all of other embodiments known in the art of flexible containers, including those described below.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can use any and all embodiments of materials, structures, and/or features for flexible containers, as well as any and all methods of making and/or using such flexible containers, as disclosed in the following patent documents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,154, filed Oct. 29, 1991, entitled “Food bag structure having pressurized compartments” in the name of Cohen, granted Aug. 11, 1992; PCT international patent application WO 96/01775 filed Jul. 5, 1995, published Jan. 26, 1995, entitled “Packaging Pouch with Stiffening Air Channels” in the name of Prats (applicant Danapak Holding A/S); PCT international patent application WO 98/01354 filed Jul. 8, 1997, published Jan. 15, 1998, entitled “A Packaging Container and a Method of its Manufacture” in the name of Naslund; U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,975 filed Mar. 19, 1997, entitled “Packaging material web for a self-supporting packaging container wall, and packaging containers made from the web” in the name of Lennartsson (applicant Tetra Laval), granted Oct. 5, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,466 filed Jul. 8, 1997, entitled “Packaging Container and a Method of its Manufacture” in the name of Naslund, granted Jun. 12, 2001; PCT international patent application WO 02/085729 filed Apr. 19, 2002, published Oct. 31, 2002, entitled “Container” in the name of Rosen (applicant Eco Lean Research and Development A/S); Japanese patent JP4736364 filed Jul. 20, 2004, published Jul. 27, 2011, entitled “Independent Sack” in the name of Masaki (applicant Toppan Printing); PCT international patent application WO2005/063589 filed Nov. 3, 2004, published 14 Jul. 2005, entitled “Container of Flexible Material” in the name of Figols Gamiz (applicant Volpak, S. A.); German patent application DE202005016704 U1 filed Jan. 17, 2005, entitled “Closed bag for receiving liquids, bulk material or objects comprises a bag wall with taut filled cushions or bulges which reinforce the wall to stabilize it” in the name of Heukamp (applicant Menshen), laid open as publication DE102005002301; Japanese patent application 2008JP-0024845 filed Feb. 5, 2008, entitled “Self-standing Bag” in the name of Shinya (applicant Toppan Printing), laid open as publication JP2009184690; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/312,176 filed Apr. 19, 2002, entitled “Container” in the name of Rosen, published as US20040035865; U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,528 filed Dec. 16, 2002, entitled “Package having an inflated frame” in the name of Ferri, et al., granted on Sep. 8, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/794,286 filed Jun. 4, 2010, entitled “Flexible to Rigid Packaging Article and Method of Use and Manufacture” in the name of Helou (applicant, published as US20100308062; U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,094 filed Jun. 21, 2010, entitled “Collapsible Bottle, Method Of Manufacturing a Blank For Such Bottle and Beverage-Filled Bottle Dispensing System” in the name of Reidl, granted on Sep. 24, 2013; and PCT international patent application WO 2013/124201 filed Feb. 14, 2013, published Aug. 29, 2013, entitled “Pouch and Method of Manufacturing the Same” in the name of Rizzi (applicant Cryovac, Inc.); each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments disclosed herein also can be combined with part, parts, or all of other embodiments known in the art of containers for fluent products, so long as those embodiments can be applied to flexible containers, as disclosed herein. For example, in various embodiments, a flexible container can include a vertically oriented transparent strip, disposed on a portion of the container that overlays the product space, and configured to show the level of the fluent product in the product space.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or patent publication, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any document disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.