Methods of opening flexible containers

Abstract

In a method of making disposable, flexible containers for fluent products, methods of opening the flexible containers are disclosed, including methods of opening multi-layer structures to enable filling of fluent product(s). The methods may include opening a partially complete container blank made of three or more layers by separating a portion of one layer from a portion of another layer by bending portions of all of the layers outward toward a first direction; and then bending portions of at some of the layers outward toward a second direction that is within 20 degrees of opposite to the first direction.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to flexible containers, and in particular to methods of opening flexible containers. 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 barrier...

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 pressure that they cannot easily control the degree to which the container is deformed; these users may dispense more liquid 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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