Flexible containers with removable portions

Abstract

A disposable flexible container (#2000 in Fig. 20A), configured for retail sale, wherein the container comprises: a multiple dose product volume (#2050 in Fig. 20A) that directly contains a fluent product, wherein the product volume is made from one or more flexible materials, and wherein the fluent product is hermetically sealed within the product volume; a film structure (#2024-s in Fig. 21A) that includes: a first side with a first outer film laminate (#2024-ofl-l) and a first inner film laminate (#2024-ifl-1); and a second side with a second inner film laminate (#2024-ifl-2) and a second outer film laminate (#2024-ofl-2); a pathway of weakness (#2024-w) that extends across at least a portion of the film structure; an inner unsealed portion (#2024-iup) between the first inner film laminate and the second inner film laminate, disposed along at least a portion of the pathway of weakness; and a removable portion (#2024) disposed adjacent to the pathway of weakness; and wherein, when the removable portion is removed along the pathway of weakness the inner unsealed portion forms a dispenser (#2059) for dispensing the fluent product.

Description

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

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 fluid products can be difficult to decorate

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

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 fluid products may be prone to certain kinds 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 a rigid container is dropped, the container may break, which can result in loss of its fluid product

[0011] Fifth, some fluid 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 fluid product than they desire

[0012] Sixth, when using conventional rigid containers, it may be difficult for manufacturers to change such containers from one product size to another

Unfortunately, making new sizes of said containers can be expensive, time consuming and challenging to coordinate

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