Shaker bag mixing assembly

Abstract

A mixing assembly includes a bag of appropriate size, configuration, shape and material and a closable spout that may have extensions of various lengths, shapes and configurations to provide enhanced mixing of a component contained in the bag upon the addition of a second component. Once the closure of the spout is removed, the second component, typically a liquid such as water, milk, juice, chemical, oil substrate, or the like, can be added to the container for mixing. After the closure is refitted, the two components are mixed then consumed or dispensed, either by removing the closure or from a separate spout or nozzle fitted to the closure.

Claims

1. An assembly for mixing contents therein, comprising: a bag having an interior for containing a product therein, the bag formed from a front panel and a rear panel; a spout fluidly connecting with the interior of the bag; an expandable side gusset forming sides of the bag, the expandable side gusset including a first expandable side gusset connecting first sides of the front panel and the rear panel, and a second side gusset connecting second sides of the front panel and the rear panel; and a linear bottom of the bag that omits a flat surface and lacks gussets, the linear bottom formed from sealing a bottom edge of the front panel and the rear panel together; and a connecting bottom portion of the bag that lacks gussets and extends from the linear bottom at each side thereof, the connecting bottom portion extending upward and away from the linear bottom to connect to the first and second side gussets.

2. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, further comprising rounded side portions connecting the sides of the bag with the linear bottom.

3. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, wherein the spout has an internal diameter of at least 15 millimeters.

4. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, wherein the spout has an internal diameter from about 15 millimeters to about 40 millimeters.

5. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, further comprising a closure removable disposed on the spout.

6. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 5, wherein the closure includes an integrated mixing device extending from the closure, wherein the integrated mixing device extends into the interior of the bag when the closure is placed on the spout.

7. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, wherein the spout includes an integrated mixing device extending from the spout into the interior of the bag.

8. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, further comprising a resiliently deformable mixing device that is deformable to fit into the spout and expands within the interior of the bag to prevent the resiliently deformable mixing device from exiting or blocking the spout.

9. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, further comprising a mixing device removably fitting into the spout and extending into the interior of the bag.

10. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, wherein the bag is formed from a flexible material.

11. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 1, wherein the interior of the bag is formed entirely with rounded corners and lacks any interior angles.

12. An assembly for mixing contents therein comprising: a bag having an interior for containing a product therein, the bag formed from a front panel and a rear panel; a spout fluidly connecting with the interior of the bag; a spout fluidly connecting with the interior of the bag; a closure removable disposed on the spout; an expandable side gusset forming sides of the bag, the expandable side gusset including a first expandable side gusset connecting first sides of the front panel and the rear panel, and a second side gusset connecting second sides of the front panel and the rear panel; a linear bottom of the bag that omits a flat surface and lacks gussets, the linear bottom formed from sealing a bottom edge of the front panel and the rear panel together; and rounded side portions extending upward and away from the linear bottom to connect connecting to the first and second side gussets of the bag, wherein the spout has an internal diameter of at least 15 millimeters, and at least a portion of the rounded side portions lacks gussets.

13. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 12, wherein the closure includes an integrated mixing device extending from the closure, wherein the integrated mixing device extends into the interior of the bag when the closure is placed on the spout.

14. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 12, wherein the spout includes an integrated mixing device extending from the spout into the interior of the bag.

15. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 12, further comprising a resiliently deformable mixing device that is deformable to fit into the spout and expands within the interior of the bag to prevent the resiliently deformable mixing device from exiting or blocking the spout.

16. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 12, further comprising a mixing device removably fitting into the spout and extending into the interior of the bag.

17. The assembly for mixing contents therein of claim 12, wherein the interior of the bag is formed entirely with rounded corners and lacks any interior angles.

18. A mixing assembly comprising: a bag having an interior for containing a product therein, the bag formed from a front panel and a rear panel; a spout fluidly connecting with the interior of the bag; a closure removable disposed on the spout; an expandable side gusset forming sides of the bag, the expandable side gusset including a first expandable side gusset connecting first sides of the front panel and the rear panel, and a second side gusset connecting second sides of the front panel and the rear panel; a linear bottom of the bag that omits a flat surface and lacks gussets, the linear bottom formed from sealing a bottom edge of the front panel and the rear panel together; rounded side portions extending upward and away from the linear bottom to connect to the first and second side gussets of the bag; and a mixing device disposed within the bag, wherein the spout has an internal diameter of at least 15 millimeters, and at least a portion of the rounded side portions lacks gussets.

19. The mixing assembly of claim 18, wherein the mixing device is an integrated mixing device attached to either the closure or the spout and extending into the interior of the bag.

20. The mixing assembly of claim 18, wherein the mixing device is a separate mixing device having at least a portion disposed within the interior of the bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

(2) FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of a shaker bag mixing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1B shows a detailed perspective view of an upper portion of the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A, illustrating side gussets according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 1C shows a detailed perspective view of a lower portion of the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A, illustrating side gussets according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 1D shows a detailed front view of a cap assembly for the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A;

(6) FIG. 1E shows a front view of the cap assembly and upper container design for the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A;

(7) FIG. 1F shows a detailed front view of the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A, illustrating rounded bottom corners thereof;

(8) FIG. 2A shows a side view of the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A having a product contained therein;

(9) FIG. 2B shows a front view of the shaker bag mixing assembly of FIG. 1A having a product contained therein;

(10) FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate exemplary steps of filling, adding a liquid, mixing of a protein powder drink and interlock stacking for distribution of a shaker bag mixing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate examples of optional closure caps with drinking or pouring nozzle features;

(12) FIGS. 5A through 5D show cross sectional views of examples of optional mixing devices as an integral part of the spout molded part, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of an example of separate component mixing device that can be pressure fitted to the spout or the closure, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 7A is a side cross sectional view of an optional mixing device as an integral part of the closure cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(15) FIG. 7B is a top cross sectional view of the optional mixing device of FIG. 7A;

(16) FIG. 8A is a side cross sectional view of an optional mixing device as an integral part of the closure cap, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 8B is a top cross sectional view of the optional mixing device of FIG. 8A;

(18) FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an example of collapsible and non-retractable mixing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

(19) FIG. 10 shows an alternative method to fill the bag from the bottom followed by heat sealing the opening after filling according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(20) The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

(21) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(22) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

(23) In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

(24) In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

(25) The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

(26) Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 1F, a preferred embodiment of a shaker bag mixing assembly 10 (also referred to as mixing assembly 10, or assembly 10) includes a bag 13 made from single or laminated materials, a spout assembly 11 providing fluid communication to an interior of the bag 13, and a closure 12. The bag 13 can be molded to the spout assembly 11. In one embodiment, the width of the bag 13 is 107 mm, the length of the bag is 160 mm and an internal width of a side gusset 18 is 22 mm. Alternatively, the width of the bag 13 could be as little as 80 mm and up to 150 mm, for example. Alternatively, the length of the bag may be decreased to about 75% of the width of the bag 13 or increased to about 200% of the width of the bag 13 before mixing and convenience is compromised. Alternatively, the internal width of the side gusset 18 may be increased or decreased within a range of about 25% to about 50% of the width of the bag 13 to optimize product characteristics and volume requirements.

(27) As shown in FIG. 1A, a bottom portion 26 of the bag 13 preferably omits flat corners and a flat horizontal surface. In other words, the bottom portion 26 preferably omits gussets like the side portions. By omitting a flat bottom surface, mixing is enhanced as the dry ingredients are prevented from settling on flat horizontal surface. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 26 may connect to the side gussets 18 with a rounded corner 24, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1F, for example, in order to avoid a linear corner. In some embodiments, a sealing angle on each side of the bag 13 can form a series of V-shaped surfaces at the bottom portion 26 of the bag to omit any flat horizontal surface for the mixture to settle and cause mixing problems. In some embodiments, an interior of the bag can be formed entirely rounded, lacking any inside linear edges or angles into which product may accumulate and not by appropriately mixed.

(28) As shown in FIG. 1B, the side gusset 18 may attach to front and rear portions of the bag 13 at a seam 20 and may include a central fold 22 so that the bag 13 may lie flat when not filled with product.

(29) In some embodiments, the width of the bag 13 can be about 40 mm determined by a 40 degree angle on each side of the bag 13. Alternatively, the internal width of the bottom of the bag may be no greater than 50% of the width of the bag 13 or an angle at each side of the bag 13 of no less than 20 degrees.

(30) In an exemplary embodiment, a spout 16 has an internal diameter of 30 mm and a typical thread to allow the closure 12 to be fitted to seal the bag. The spout 16 diameter may be adjusted to 15-35 mm for alternative applications. The spout 16 may connect to the bag 13 at a connection point 28. The connection at the connection point 28 may be formed by various processes, such as heat seal, food-safe adhesive, or the like. The closure 12 can be fitted with a tamper evidence breakaway or tear away seal 14 that locks onto the closure 12 by ratchets or a circular ring that, upon opening of the closure 12, breaks and allows the closure 12 to be removed. Alternatively, the closure 12 may be made tamper evident by applying a shrink seal band for the end user to remove prior to usage.

(31) A typical embodiment has a volume of 275 cc or approximately 10 ounces. This may be varied depending on the various parameters mentioned above as well as the desired application. As examples and not by way of limitation, the preferred embodiments may comprise a volume capacity of 3 ounces to 3 pounds.

(32) Exemplary embodiments, as described above, are optimized for a protein nutritional drink which can be difficult to mix. Due to the sizing, shape and structure of the embodiments described above, the combination of factors allows the liquid (water, milk or juice) to mix with the powdered ingredient, initially dispersing the liquid into and around the powdered ingredients and, upon shaking by hand in a motion horizontally in the direction of the gussets, causes the components to readily mix through the action of the effect of the shape of the bottom and the side gussets of the bag, providing adequate surface area and a shearing effect.

(33) Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3D, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used for a nutritional drink, where a powdered ingredient 32 is filled into the bag 13 through the spout 16 by a filling auger/dispenser 32. FIG. 3D shows two assemblies 10 filled, with the closure 12 fitted, and stacked in an interlocking configuration for distribution to the consumer. FIG. 3B shows the liquid (such as water) added to the bag 13, noting the interface of the liquid with and around the powdered ingredient 32. FIG. 3C shows the mixed ingredients, ready to drink upon removal of the closure 12.

(34) Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4C, alternative embodiments to the closure design include closures of various tamper proof construction arrangements and drinking, pouring or nozzle features. Specific non-limiting examples include a pull-spout closure 40, a squirt-spout closure 42, and a closure 44 with a flip-top 46. Closures fitted with a venting membrane can be included to accommodate pressure conditions such as altitude, carbonation, autoclaving and retorting.

(35) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide for a structure and configuration that permits a lightweight and efficient stacking configuration for shipping and distribution. The use of lightweight laminated films provides for suitable moisture and product protection barriers, high quality graphic art, ease of handling and flexibility for consumer convenience. A typical embodiment may be structured with 0.1 mm film made of a laminated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyethylene film (PE) films. Other materials and thicknesses maybe used for light, moisture barrier and printing requirements. The configuration and structure permits the reverse interlocking of a finished product for efficient and low cost distribution due to the wedge shape of the package from less than 1 mm at the bottom progressing to 40-50 mm dependent on the selection of cap closure style. The volume of the powdered ingredient during distribution is optimized within the flat and wedged structure as shown in FIG. 3D, for example. The application of the side gussets is realized during the addition of the liquid component to provide the necessary liquid volume and for the mixing process.

(36) Referring now to FIGS. 5A through 5D, an integrated mixing device 50, 52, 54, 56 may be designed as an integral part of the spout 16. The integrated mixing device 50, 52, 54, 56 can extend into the bag 13 at any desired length and design configuration as discussed above. FIGS. 5A through 5D show just four of the many possible configurations which may be included within the scope of these embodiments. Other designs are possible at any desired length, width or orientation. These embodiments may include the alternative embodiments mentioned above and shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C, for example, which may or may not include a venting membrane as mentioned above.

(37) Referring to FIG. 6, a separate mixing device 60 may be a separate component fitted to the spout 16. The separate mixing device 60 may be locked to the spout 16 by way of a pressure fit, for example, and may be added prior to or after the filling of the bag 13 and before the fitting of the closure 12. The assembly 10 that includes the separate mixing device 31 may include variations of dimension and shape as discussed above. Other designs are possible at any desired length, width or orientation.

(38) Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B, a closure-fitted mixing device 72, 80 may be a separate component fitted to a closure cap 70. Such embodiments may include variations of dimension and shape as discussed above. Other designs are possible at any desired length, width or orientation. This embodiment may include a venting membrane closure, as described above.

(39) Referring to FIG. 9, a collapsible and retractable device 90 may be inserted into the bag through the spout 16 to enhance mixing. Such device 90, in the collapsible condition, can be made of any appropriate material, typically more dense than the mixed ingredients, that can be collapsed and will retract to the fully expanded condition after entering the bag 13. The expanded device may not exit the bag or block the spout 16 upon drinking or dispensing. Because of the wide opening of the spout 16, the device 90 can be of sufficient mass and configuration to provide the necessary mixing effects depending upon the specific application.

(40) Referring now to FIG. 10, the powdered ingredients may be filled via a filling tube 92 disposed through an opening 94 in the bottom of the bag 13. Once filled with a desired amount of powdered ingredients, the opening 94 may be closed by, for example, heat sealing. This embodiment of the present invention may include the various features and options discussed above.

(41) Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

(42) The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

(43) The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

(44) Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

(45) The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.