Flexible package and method of forming a cuff

Abstract

A package having a foldable top region is provided. The package generally includes panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween and accessible through an access opening. The top portion can provide a cuff member or cuff region that can be folded and unfolded to facilitate use of the package as a bowl or other cuffed container for material contents. The package can be adapted to hold its shape as a bowl or cuffed container.

Description

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 080,102, filed Jul. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to packages having a cuff, and methods for forming a cuff or cuffed region, or using packages as a bowl.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Flexible packages used for items like food, liquid and other material content are meant to store, transport and serve as the consumption container. Namely, it is often desirable to have a package adapted for the end user to consume the contents directly from the package, rather than transferring the contents to a bowl, plate, or other container or device. Such conventional designs are often cumbersome and difficult to use. For instance, typical stand-up packages are not capable of use as a bowl or to drink out of because they are not genera...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]A purpose of the present invention is to form a package, such as a flexible package, to have a top region or portion capable of folding over to form a cuff. Such a cuff configuration facilitates using the package as a bowl or other like container for accessing or dispensing material contents. The various embodiments and teachings provided herein can also be employed with a semi-rigid package. References to “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,” and the like are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed invention.

[0020]Referring generally to FIGS. 1-9, a flexible package 10 and components and configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are shown. The package 10 can include a front panel portion 12, a back panel portion 14, a cuff member 24, and a top region or portion 20. In various embodiments, the top region or portion 20 of the package 10 can include a space or gap defined between the cuff member 24 and a top edge...

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 080,102, filed Jul. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to packages having a cuff, and methods for forming a cuff or cuffed region, or using packages as a bowl.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Flexible packages used for items like food, liquid and other material content are meant to store, transport and serve as the consumption container. Namely, it is often desirable to have a package adapted for the end user to consume the contents directly from the package, rather than transferring the contents to a bowl, plate, or other container or device. Such conventional designs are often cumbersome and difficult to use. For instance, typical stand-up packages are not capable of use as a bowl or to drink out of because they are not genera...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0019]A purpose of the present invention is to form a package, such as a flexible package, to have a top region or portion capable of folding over to form a cuff. Such a cuff configuration facilitates using the package as a bowl or other like container for accessing or dispensing material contents. The various embodiments and teachings provided herein can also be employed with a semi-rigid package. References to “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,” and the like are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosed invention.

[0020]Referring generally to FIGS. 1-9, a flexible package 10 and components and configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are shown. The package 10 can include a front panel portion 12, a back panel portion 14, a cuff member 24, and a top region or portion 20. In various embodiments, the top region or portion 20 of the package 10 can include a space or gap defined between the cuff member 24 and a top edge...

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