Flexible containers having flexible valves

Abstract

The invention provides flexible containers having flexible valves. Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers having product volumes and structural support volumes are provided with a valve mechanism to facilitate dispensing fluid product from the product support volume. One or more tension-inducing elements may be used to provide the valves with the ability to permit dispensing of fluid product from the product volume upon application of greater than a minimum threshold but less than a maximum threshold of squeeze force to an exterior of the flexible container. The valve may also be re-closable to prevent fluid product from being dispensed subsequent to use. The flexible container may further be provided with a product sensory experience sampling mechanism to provide for consumer interaction with one or more characteristics of the fluid product contained in the product volume without compromising the integrity of the product volume.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to containers, and in particular to containers made of flexible materials with flexible valves. Background technique [0002] Fluid 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. Also, in various embodiments, the container can be used to receive, hold and / or dispense individual articles or separately packaged portions of a product. A container may contain one or more product volumes. The product volume is configured to be filled with one or more fluent products. When filling the product volume of the container, the container receives the fluent product. Once filled to the desired volume, the container can be configured to hold the fluent product in its product volume until the fluent product is dispensed. The container holds the fluent product by providing a barrier around the flue...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Both types of manufacturing are energy-intensive processes that may require complex equipment

[0008] Second, some conventional rigid containers for flowable products may require significant amounts of material

This may require a significant amount of material, which increases the cost of the container and makes its disposal difficult

[0009] Third, some conventional rigid containers for flowy products can be difficult to decorate

The size, shape (e.g. curved surface) and / or material of some rigid containers make it difficult to print directly on their outer surface

Labeling requires additional materials and handling, and limits the size and shape of decorations

Packaging provides a large decorative area, but also requires additional materials and handling, often at significant cost

[0010] Fourth, some conventional rigid containers used for flowable products may be prone to certain types of damage

If a rigid container is pressed against a hard object, the container can become dented, which can make it look unsightly

And if the rigid container is dropped, the container may break, which can cause loss of its flowable product

[0011] Fifth, some runny products in conventional rigid containers can be difficult to dispense

Other users may need to apply so much hand force that they cannot easily control the degree to which the container is deformed; these users may dispense more runny product than they desire

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