Package having a fill and seal feature

Abstract

A flexible package having a fill opening or feature can be included in one or more of the package panels, with an internal fill patch provided proximate or about the fill opening. The patch can be initially sealed at one or more edge or portions to the internal surface of the respective package panel or panels, with a generally free edge or portion remaining unsealed until the package is filled with material contents.

Claims

1. A method of package formation and filling, comprising: providing a package having a first panel portion and a second panel portion, at least the first panel portion and the second panel portion sealed along first and second side seals and defining an interior package cavity adapted to hold material contents; providing a fill slit opening defined in a portion of the first panel portion; providing a unitary fill strip having a first longitudinal edge portion, a longitudinal free end portion, and first and second ends transverse to at least the first longitudinal edge portion, the first longitudinal edge portion sealed to an interior surface of the first panel proximate a first side of the slit opening, the first and second ends sealed to the first and second side seals such that a portion of the unitary fill strip intermediate the first and second side seals does not seal to an interior surface of the second panel portion; filling at least a portion of the interior package cavity with material contents via the fill slit opening, past the free end portion; and sealing the free end portion to the interior surface of the first panel proximate a second side of the fill slit opening within the interior package cavity, after filing the interior package cavity with the material contents.

2. The method of claim 1, further including providing a bottom panel portion.

3. The method of claim 1, further including providing at least one side panel portion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal free end portion is sealed to the interior surface of the first panel with a temporary seal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fill slit opening generally extends from the first side seal to the second side seal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the slit opening includes a perforation line in the first panel portion.

7. The method of claim 1, further including removing a top seal to access the material contents.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first panel portion is a back panel portion of the package.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first panel portion is a front panel portion of the package.

10. The method of claim 1, further including a gusseted panel portion.

11. The method of claim 1, further including providing an access device to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the access device is provided intermediate the fill slit opening and atop seal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the fill patch includes a weakened portion to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the free end portion is sealed to the interior surface of the first panel with a destructive seal.

15. A method of package formation and filling, comprising: providing a package having a first panel portion and a second panel portion, at least the first panel portion and the second panel portion having opposing longitudinal side edges, and defining an interior package cavity adapted to hold material contents; providing a fill slit opening defined in a portion of the first panel portion; providing an access device to the first panel portion; providing a unitary fill patch having a longitudinal first edge portion, a longitudinal free end portion, and first and second edge portions transverse to the first edge portion, the first edge portion sealed to an interior surface of the first panel proximate a first side of the slit opening; sealing the first and second end portions to the opposing longitudinal side edges such that a portion of the fill patch intermediate the longitudinal side edges does not seal to an interior surface of the second panel portion; filling at least a portion of the interior package cavity with material contents via the fill slit opening; and sealing the free end portion proximate a second side of the fill slit opening within the interior package cavity to close off the fill slit opening.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the free end portion is sealed to the interior surface of the first panel with a temporary seal.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the slit opening includes a perforation line in the first panel portion.

18. The method of claim 15, further including accessing the material contents via the access device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the fill patch includes a weakened portion to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the free end portion is sealed to the interior surface of the first panel with a destructive seal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a package having a fill opening and internal fill patch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the package at line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a close-up partial schematic view of a portion of the package of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a package having a fill opening and internal fill patch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the package at line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a package having a fill opening and internal fill patch, with the package being filled with product or material contents, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the package at line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a package having a fill opening, internal fill patch and bottom gusseted panel, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the package at line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a close-up partial schematic view of a portion of the package of FIG. 9, with the fill patch finally sealed off at a bottom edge portion.

(11) FIG. 11 shows a package having a fill opening and sealed fill patch in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the package at line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 is perspective view of a side gusseted package in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

(14) While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For illustrative purposes, hatching or shading in the figures is generally provided to demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated devices for the package. In addition, the size and proportions of seal or other portions may be exaggerated with respect to the surrounding material and films to improve visual depictions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-13, a flexible package 10 in accordance with the present invention, and the steps for forming, using and filling the flexible package 10, are shown. The package 10 generally includes a front panel portion 12, a back panel portion 14 and one or more side panel portions 18. The package can further include a bottom panel portion 16. Any of the panel portions can be gusseted, e.g., the side panel portions 18 (FIG. 13) and bottom panel portion 16 (FIGS. 2, 9). Panel portions 12-18 can be joined to form or define an inner cavity 23 of the main package 10 for holding, transporting, or otherwise containing material contents. Each of the panel portions can include internal sealant surfaces. The joining of the front and back panels 12, 14 can create corresponding side or seal edges 26, and top 19 and bottom 21 seals. Alternatively, the panels can be formed of a single web material and folded or formed to define the distinct panel portions. The cross-hatching in the figures is generally used to denote sealing and/or panel edges or folds. Various handles or handle portions 27 as well as re-closeable device 29 or other features or structures can be included anywhere on the package 10 or package panels 12-18.

(16) The package panel portions are generally constructed of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes or polypropylenes laminated with other materials such as nylon, polyester, and like films. To provide for higher barriers, embodiments can use combination layers of said materials and material of the like. In addition, various panel portions can be constructed of, or incorporated with, materials that provide preferred sealing characteristics. One skilled in the art will understand that a myriad of materials and material laminates are available for selective use for the sealant surfaces to facilitate the bonding attachment described herein. In one embodiment, at least one of the sealant surfaces will comprise contaminants that permit a varying level of bonding, wherein the level of bondable attachment depends on the heat applied from a corresponding heat sealing bar or other device. Higher temperatures will create destructive (e.g., permanent) bonds while lower temperatures will create a more temporary bond for selective disengagement. Seal pressures and dwells can also affect the bond level.

(17) In one embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 1-7, the package 10 includes a fill opening, slit or feature 30 defined in at least one of the panel portions, such as the back panel 14. The fill opening 30 (and the patch 32 described herein) can be provided in any of the panels and can extend past the panel portion 14 and into the side panels 18, or any edges/seals of the package 10 (continuous, transverse, machine direction, etc.). In certain embodiments, the fill opening 30 can be covered by a removable material, can be defined by a perforation or scoring in the package panel, or can take on any other configuration adapted to define or selectively provide an opening for filling the package 10 or cavity 23 with material contents.

(18) A patch 32, or other strip or material, can be provided inside the package, with the patch 32 having one or more seal edges or portions 34 and a generally free edge or portion 36. The patch can be constructed of any compatible polymer or like material, can be formed in any shape or size, and can include various textures, materials, ribs, structures or like features to facilitate sealing and attachment. In one embodiment, the patch can be constructed of a laminate material adapted to only seal on one side upon application of heat, such that at least one side has a non-sealable barrier film configuration (e.g., preventing it from sealing to an opposing interior panel surface of the packagesuch as front panel 12). The patch 32 and its edge portions 34, 36 can be included with or defined from flanges or other features of an access device, such as a zipper device, re-closeable device, peel seal material, and the like.

(19) The one or more seal edges 34 are adapted for sealing to the inside surface of the corresponding panel portion (e.g., back panel 14) proximate the fill opening 30 by the package former or manufacturer, with the free edge 36 remaining initially unsealed to provide an internal flap about the fill opening 30. While the patch 32 is depicted in various figures for internal attachment or sealing to the back panel portion 14 and across to the side panel portions 18, the patch 32 can be defined in any of the panel portions 12-18, or combinations thereof. Further, the patch 32 can be applied to the outer surface or portion of a panel, or panels, and can be sealed using various known techniques, such as heat, adhesive, bonding, etc.

(20) As depicted in FIGS. 4-7, the filling opening or slit 30 in the respective package panel can be manipulated to provide an opening to fill the internal cavity 23 of the package 10 with material contents. As such, the free edge 36 of the patch 32 is configured to permit the contents to enter the internal cavity 23 (FIG. 7). The filler or customer receiving the package 10 in accordance with features of the present invention can open the package 10 to the full width of the fill opening 30 and fill the package 10 with product or contents, generally below the fill opening 30. However, filling could extend even past or above the fill opening 30.

(21) Upon filling the internal cavity 23 of the package 10 with the desired amount of contents, as shown in FIGS. 8-11, the fill opening 30 can be closed off by providing a seal 36a to the free edge 36 such that the patch 32 is completely sealed at its edges to the internal surface of the package panel. The seal 36a can be applied, as with any of the seals shown or disclosed herein, with a seal bar, band sealer or other equipment or techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such a configuration means that the filler or customer needs to only seal one layer or material to close off the opening 30 and package 10, making filling and sealing simpler, easier and more cost effective, while still retaining desired seal features, handles, re-closeable device, and the like, for the package 10. As shown in the figures, various seals (K-seals, miter seals, top seals, bottom seals, side seals, etc.), handles, re-closeable devices and other features or structures can be finalized and provided by the original package former or manufacturer without generally effecting the ability of the package filler to fill and close off the package 10.

(22) A portion of the patch 32 can include a weakened portion 32a, such as a perforation, score or other like construct or feature to allow a user or customer to break through, breach or otherwise gain access to the internal cavity contents via the patch 32 even after the patch 32 is sealed (e.g., FIG. 12). In such an embodiment, the slit opening 30 can be accessed (e.g., via an opening, access device, zipper, etc.) and the user can push through or otherwise breach the weakened feature of the patch 32 to facilitate communication from the interior cavity out through the slit opening 30. As such, contents can later be accessed or dispensed through the slit opening even after sealing of the free edge 36 at seal 36a.

(23) In various embodiments, the patch 32 can be included with or can be defined by a zipper or other access device (e.g., re-closeable access device). For instance, the patch portions 34, 36 can be defined as extending flange or other portions of an access device, such that a first flange portion 34 is sealed on a first side of the slit 30 and the other flange portion provides the free edge portion 36 for later sealing to the interior of the panel portion 14 on a second side of the slit 30.

(24) Various graphics, closeable and re-closeable devices, gussets and like features known to one skilled in the art are also envisioned for use with this invention and can be implemented without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All references to front, back, top, bottom, and the like are merely for demonstrative purposes and are not intended to limit the variations and positional references and orientations of the panels in the present invention.

(25) Various embodiments can further include slits, scores, cuts, removable slugs, perforations, notches, and the like in the package 10 or package panels 12-18 to provide or define the features described herein. Other peel-back materials, tabs, or tear portions, can be located proximate the fill opening 30 to facilitate selective access to the package or panels.

(26) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Similarly, the above-described methods and techniques for forming the present invention are illustrative processes and are not intended to limit the methods of manufacturing/forming the present invention to those specifically defined herein. A myriad of various unspecified steps and procedures can be performed to create or form the inventive package 10.