Flexible package with reinforced top and method of filling the same
AssigneeFres-co System USA, Inc.
InventorsJohn Sheridan Thomas, JR., Menaka Hemamali Abeygunawardena
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flexible packages and methods of filling them are disclosed. The package includes front and a rear panels. The front and rear panels each have a pair of side edges, a bottom edge, and a top edge. Respective ones of the side and bottom edges of the panels are secured together. The panels confront each other at the top portion of the package to form an interface through which the package may be filled. The top portion of the package is reinforced with reinforcing layers to form at least one top extension, which includes a handle for supporting the package.
Claims26
A flexible package for holding a product therein, said package comprising a front panel, a rear panel and at least one reinforcing panel, said front and rear panels being secured together to define a hollow interior therebetween, each of said panels being formed of a flexible sheet material, said front panel having a pair of side edge portions, a bottom edge portion, and a top edge portion, said rear panel having a pair of side edge portions, a bottom edge portion, and a top edge portion, with respective ones of said side edge portions of said front panel being secured to respective ones of said side edge portions of said rear panel, said bottom edge portion of said front panel being secured to said bottom edge portion of said rear panel, with said at least one reinforcing panel being secured to said top edge portion of one of said front and rear panels to form a first top extension, said first top extension having a handle for carrying said package, said front and rear panels forming an interface therebetween, said interface being openable to provide access to said hollow interior to thereby enable the filling of said hollow interior with the product.
A method of filling a flexible package with a product, said flexible package being arranged to be carried by a handle and comprising a front panel, a rear panel and a top panel secured together to define a hollow interior therebetween, each of said panels being formed of a flexible sheet material, said front panel having a pair of side edge portions, a bottom edge portion, and a top edge portion, said rear panel having a pair of side edge portions, a bottom edge portion, and a top edge portion, respective ones of said side edge portions of said front panel being secured to respective ones of said side edge portions of said rear panel, said bottom edge portion of said front panel being secured to said bottom edge portion of said rear panel, said top panel being folded along a first fold line into a configuration comprising a V-shaped portion and pair of top edge portions located on opposite sides of said first fold line, with one of said pair of top edge portions of said top panel being secured to said top edge portion of said rear panel to form a first top extension, said other of said pair of top edge portions of said third panel being disposed adjacent to said top edge portion of said front panel to form an interface, said top extension forming said handle, said method comprising:
- opening said interface to provide a mouth for the package;
- introducing a product through said mouth into said hollow interior of said package;
- and
- sealing said mouth closed to contain the product within said package.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.