Packaging assembly and container
The packaging assembly addresses leakage issues by incorporating pleats and wings inside the package, enhancing production efficiency and reducing material waste through simplified folds.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AMCOR FLEXIBLES NORTH AMERICA INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Current package designs suffer from inadvertent product leakage due to complex folds and inefficient material usage, leading to production delays and increased waste.
A packaging assembly with a container and lid design featuring pleats and wings inside the package, reducing intricate folds and minimizing material waste, allowing faster production and sealing.
The design reduces product leakage, minimizes material waste, and enables faster packaging line operations with simpler construction.
Smart Images
Figure US2025012286_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0002] PACKAGING ASSEMBLY
[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present application relates generally to a packaging assembly.
[0005] BACKGROUND
[0006] In various packaging applications, packages may be formed by folding and sealing multiple sheets. For example, a first sheet may be folded to form a container that contains a product (for example, cheese) and a second sheet may be folded to form a lid. The lid may be sealed to the container to enclose the product. Current package designs of such containers and lids may suffer from inadvertent product leakage.
[0007] SUMMARY
[0008] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a packaging assembly. The packaging assembly includes a container. The container is comprised of a first sheet folded to result in a bottom portion and three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion. Each wall is connected to another wall by a pleat. The pleat is formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings. Each wing is arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall. The packaging assembly further includes a product located within the container and in contact with the bottom portion and a lower portion of each wall. The packaging assembly further includes a lid. The lid is comprised of a second sheet folded to result in a base portion having a shape resembling a shape of the bottom portion of the container and flanges extending upward from the base portion. The flanges are connected with an upper portion of each wall of the container.
[0009] The packaging assembly may provide improved packaging of the product while having a simple construction. Firstly, the packaging assembly may reduce the likelihood of product leakage. All critical folded portions of the container (for example, the pleats and the wings) and the lid may be located inside the packaging assembly. This inside folding may allow for faster production speed and less issues with the product leaking into these folded portions and causing undesirable product leakage. Further, the design of the container and the lid may be less complicated in the intricacies of the folds (i.e., eachAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0010] of the container and the lid may be devoid of small folds) as compared to conventional packages. This may allow the packaging assembly to be formed, filled with the product, and sealed on a packaging line in an easier / faster manner.
[0011] The packaging assembly may also reduce an amount of sheet material used to package the product. The packaging assembly may further reduce wastage of sheet material (e.g., reduce foil scrap).
[0012] In some embodiments, the container includes from three to eight walls.
[0013] In some embodiments, a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.
[0014] In some embodiments, the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first sheet and the second sheet have the same structure.
[0016] In some embodiments, the product is further in contact with each wing.
[0017] In some embodiments, the connection of the flanges to the walls is made between a surface of the lid that is facing the product and a surface of the container that is facing the product.
[0018] In some embodiments, the flanges are sealingly connected to the walls.
[0019] In some embodiments, the lid further includes an unsealed tab at an edge. The unsealed tab is configured to facilitate opening of the packaging assembly.
[0020] In some embodiments, at each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0021] In some embodiments, the flanges are further connected to a top portion of one or more wings.
[0022] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a container for soft food. The container includes a first sheet folded into a configuration including a bottom portion, three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion, and a pleat connecting each wall to another wall. The pleat is formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings. Each wing is arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall. EachAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0023] pleat has a height extending from an apex of the folds to the top edge where it meets a wall. Each of the wings is attached to the wall by a sealing layer - to - sealing layer attachment. At each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0024] The container may facilitate packaging of the product while having a simple construction. All critical folded portions of the container (for example, the pleats and the wings) may be located inside the container. This inside folding may allow for faster production speed and less issues with the product leaking into these folded portions and causing undesirable product leakage. Further, the design of the container may be less complicated in the intricacies of the folds (i.e., the container may be devoid of small folds) as compared to conventional containers. This may allow the container to be formed, filled with the product, and sealed with a lid on a packaging line in an easier / faster manner. The container may also reduce an amount of sheet material used to package the product. The container may further reduce wastage of sheet material (e.g., reduce foil scrap).
[0025] In some embodiments, the distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is in a range of from 1 millimeter (mm) to 5 mm greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0026] In some embodiments, a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.
[0027] In some embodiments, the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
[0028] In some embodiments, the container comprises from three to eight walls.
[0029] There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of a packaging assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 1 B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the packaging assembly taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a first sheet for forming a container of the packaging assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the container formed using the first sheet of FIG. 2A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a second sheet for forming a lid of the packaging assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the lid formed using the second sheet of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a first sheet for forming a container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the container formed using the first sheet of FIG. 4A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 40 illustrates a top view of a second sheet for forming a lid, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a packaging assembly including the container of FIG. 4B and a lid formed using the second sheet of FIG. 40, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first sheet for forming a container, accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second sheet for forming a lid, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; andAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0044] FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a packaging assembly including a container formed using the first sheet of FIG. 5A and a lid formed using the second sheet of FIG. 5B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. It will be understood, however, that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.
[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] The present application describes a packaging assembly. The packaging assembly includes a container. The container is comprised of a first sheet folded to result in a bottom portion and three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion. Each wall is connected to another wall by a pleat. The pleat is formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings. Each wing is arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall. The packaging assembly further includes a product located within the container and in contact with the bottom portion and a lower portion of each wall. The packaging assembly further includes a lid. The lid is comprised of a second sheet folded to result in a base portion having a shape resembling a shape of the bottom portion of the container and flanges extending upward from the base portion. The flanges are connected with an upper portion of each wall of the container.
[0048] The packaging assembly may provide improved packaging of the product while having a simple construction. Firstly, the packaging assembly may reduce the likelihood of product leakage. All critical folded portions of the container (for example, the pleats and the wings) may be located inside the packaging assembly. This inside folding may allow for faster production speed and less issues with the product leaking into these folded portions and causing undesirable product leakage. Further, the design of the container and the lid may be less complicated in the intricacies of the folds (i.e., each of the container and the lid may be devoid of small folds) as compared to conventional packages. This may allow the packaging assembly to be formed, filled with the product, and sealed on a packaging line in an easier / faster manner.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0049] The packaging assembly may also reduce an amount of sheet material used to package the product. The packaging assembly may further reduce wastage of sheet material (e.g., reduce foil scrap).
[0050] As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to a material with a very high ratio of a length or a width to a thickness. A sheet has two major surfaces defined by a length and a width. Sheets typically have good flexibility and can be used for a wide variety of applications, including flexible packaging. Sheets may also have thickness and / or material composition such that they are flexible or foldable. Sheets may be described as monolayer or multilayer.
[0051] As used herein, the term “layer” refers to a thickness of material that may be homogeneous or heterogenous. Layers may be of any type of material including polymeric, cellulosic, and metallic, or a blend thereof. A layer may include a single polymer-type or a blend of polymers and may be accompanied by additives. A given layer may be combined or connected to other layers to form sheets. A layer may be either partially or fully continuous as compared to adjacent layers or the sheet. A given layer may be partially or fully coextensive with adjacent layers. A layer may contain sub-layers.
[0052] As used herein, the term “sealant layer” refers to a layer, or layers, involved in the sealing of a sheet or layer: to itself; to another layer of the same sheet or another sheet; and / or to another article which is not a sheet. In general, the sealant layer is a surface layer, i.e., an exterior or an interior layer of any suitable thickness, that provides for the sealing of the sheet to itself or another layer. The sealant layer of the container sheet serves to attach the wings of the pleats to the walls (as will be discussed), attach the lid to the container and resist corrosion. The sealant layer is in this way critical to the success of the package.
[0053] As used herein, the term “barrier” refers to a material that controls permeability of one or more elements through a film structure including light / U V, moisture, chemicals, heat, odor and oxygen or other gases. A barrier material can be provided by a single layer or multiple layers acting individually or in concert with each other, respectively.
[0054] As used herein, the term “seal” refers to the union of a surface (or portion thereof) of one sheet to a surface (or portion thereof) of another sheet. Seals may be formed byAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0055] any suitable method including heat sealing, adhesive sealing, ultrasonic sealing, RF welding, etc.
[0056] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of a packaging assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 B illustrates a cross-sectional view of packaging assembly 100 taken along a line 1-1 of FIG. 1A.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1 B, packaging assembly 100 includes a container 120. Packaging assembly 100 further includes a product 130 located within container 120. Product 130 may be of any suitable type. For example, product 130 may be a food item. In some examples, product 130 may include soft food, such as cheese. The product 130 may include soft food plus solid food (i.e., meat pieces or olives). That is, container 120 may be for soft food.
[0058] Packaging assembly 100 further includes a lid 140. Lid 140 may be sealed (e.g., heat sealed) to container 120 via a seal 138. Lid 140 may enclose product 130 located within container 120. As will be discussed in greater detail with further reference to FIGS.
[0059] 2A to 3B, container 120 and lid 140 may each be comprised of a sheet.
[0060] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a first sheet 122 for forming container 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of container 120 formed using first sheet 122, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, container 120 is comprised of first sheet 122 folded to result in a bottom portion 124 and three or more walls 126 extending upward from bottom portion 124. In some embodiments, container 120 may include from three to eight walls 126. It may be noted that the number of walls 126 may depend upon a shape of bottom portion 124. For example, container 120 having a triangular bottom portion 124 may include three walls 126, container 120 having a rectangular bottom portion 124 may include four walls 126, container 120 having a hexagonal bottom portion 124 may include six walls 126, and so forth. A perimeter of bottom portion 124 may consist of folds 154 connecting bottom portion 124 to each of three or more walls 126.
[0062] Each wall 126 is connected to another wall 126 by a pleat 128. Pleat 128 is formed by five folds 129 arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings 132 (shown in FIG. 2B).Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0063] Folds 129 of each pleat 128 may originate from an apex 166. Each pleat 128 has a height 172 extending from apex 166 of folds 129 to a top edge 174 where it meets wall 126. Top edge 174 may be the topmost edge of pleat 128 that is connected to wall 126.
[0064] Each wing 132 (shown in FIG. 2B) is arranged flat against an inside surface 156 of an adjacent wall 126. In some embodiments, two wings 132 of each pleat 128 may be adhered to inside surface 156 of an adjacent wall 126. Any suitable technique may be employed to adhere wings 132 to inside surface 156.
[0065] In other words, container 120 includes first sheet 122 folded into a configuration 121 including bottom portion 124, three or more walls 126 extending upward from bottom portion 124, and pleat 128 connecting each wall 126 to another wall 126. As discussed above, pleat 128 is formed by five folds 129 arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings 132.
[0066] In some embodiments, at each connection of pleat 128 to wall 126, a distance 173 measured along the connection from apex 166 of the fan shape of pleat folds 129 to the top (indicated by 175) of wall 126 may be equal to a distance 176 (i.e., height 172) measured along the connection from apex 166 to the top (i.e., top edge 174) of pleat 128. Distance 176 may be equal to height 172.
[0067] In some other embodiments, at each connection of pleat 128 to wall 126, distance 173 measured along the connection from apex 166 to the top (indicated by 175) of wall 126 may be greater than distance 176 (i.e., height 172) measured along the connection from apex 166 to the top (i.e., top edge 174) of pleat 128.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1 B, 2A, and 2B, product 130 may be in contact with bottom portion 124. Product 130 may be in further contact of a lower portion 134 of each wall 126. In some embodiments, product 130 may be further in contact with each wing 132.
[0069] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a second sheet 144 for forming lid 140, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of lid 140 formed using second sheet 144, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, lid 140 is comprised of second sheet 144 folded to result in a base portion 146 having a shape resembling a shape of bottom portion 124 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) of container 120 and flanges 148 extending upward fromAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0071] base portion 146. A perimeter of base portion 146 may consist of folds 147 connecting base portion 146 to each of flanges 148. Second sheet 144 may include a corner portion 149 between each pair of adjacent flanges 148. Corner portions 149 may be folded or removed when second sheet 144 is folded to form lid 140. If the corner portions 149 are folded, they preferably have three folds generating a pleat with one wing (not shown). In some embodiments of the lid (not shown), one or more corner portions may be extended, providing a tab that may be grabbed by the consumer to facilitate easy peel opening of the package.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A, and 3B, flanges 148 may be connected with an upper portion 136 of each wall 126 of container 120. Flanges 148 may be sealingly connected to walls 126. Specifically, flanges 148 may be sealed to upper portion 136 of each wall 126 to seal lid 140 to container 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the connection (e.g., seal 138) of flanges 148 to walls 126 may be made between a surface 158 of lid 140 that is facing product 130 and a surface 162 of container 120 that is facing product 130. In some embodiments, flanges 148 may be further connected to a top portion 182 (shown in FIG. 2B) of one or more wings 132.
[0073] First sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may have any composition and layer structure suitable for packaging product 130. First sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may each have a barrier layer including a barrier material. Further, first sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may each have a sealant layer. In some embodiments, each of first sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may include a polymer and / or a fiber-based material. In some embodiments, each of first sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may include foil. In some embodiments, first sheet 122 and second sheet 144 may have the same structure.
[0074] Packaging assembly 100 may provide improved packaging of product 130 while having a simple construction. Firstly, packaging assembly 100 may reduce the likelihood of product leakage. All critical folded portions of container 120 (for example, pleats 128 and wings 132) and lid 140 may be located inside packaging assembly 100. This inside folding may allow for faster production speed and less issues with product 130 leaking into these folded portions and causing undesirable product leakage. Further, the design of container 120 and lid 140 may be less complicated in the intricacies of the folds (i.e., each of container 120 and lid 140 may be devoid of small folds) as compared toAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0075] conventional packages. This may allow packaging assembly 100 to be formed, filled with product 130, and sealed on a packaging line in an easier / faster manner.
[0076] Packaging assembly 100 may also reduce an amount of sheet material used to package product 130. Packaging assembly 100 may further reduce wastage of sheet material (e.g., reduce foil scrap).
[0077] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of a first sheet 222 for forming a container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a container 220 formed using first sheet 222, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. First sheet 222 is similar to first sheet 122 of FIG.
[0078] 2A, with like elements designated by like reference characters. However, first sheet 222 of FIG. 4A has a different configuration of pleat 128 than that of first sheet 122 of FIG.
[0079] 2A.
[0080] Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4A, at each connection of pleat 128 to wall 126, distance 173 measured along the connection from apex 166 of the fan shape of pleat folds 129 to the top (indicated by 175) of wall 126 is greater than distance 176 measured along the connection from apex 166 to the top (i.e., top edge 174) of pleat 128. In some embodiments, distance 173 measured along the connection from apex 166 of the fan shape of pleat folds 129 to the top (indicated by 175) of wall 126 is in a range of from 1 millimeter (mm) to 5 mm greater than distance 176 measured along the connection from apex 166 to the top (i.e., top edge 174) of pleat 128. This may facilitate folding of pleats 128, formation of wings 132 and sealing of the lid flanges 148 to the walls 126 along the entire length of the walls.
[0081] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of a second sheet 244 for forming a lid, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a packaging assembly 200 including container 220 formed using first sheet 222 of FIG. 4A and a lid 240 formed using second sheet 244 of FIG. 4C.
[0082] Second sheet 244 is similar to second sheet 144 of FIG. 3A, with like elements designated by like reference characters. However, second sheet 244 of FIG. 4G includes additional elements as compared to second sheet 144 of FIG. 3A.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 4G and 4D, lid 240 may include an unsealed tab 164 at an edge 168. Edge 168 may be a fold between a flange 148 and a corner portion 149. UnsealedAttorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0084] tab 164 may extend from flange 148 and remain unsealed when flanges 148 are sealed to walls 126 of container 120. Unsealed tab 164 may be an extended version of corner portion 149. Unsealed tab 164 may be configured to facilitate opening of packaging assembly 200. Specifically, unsealed tab 164 may be gripped to pull lid 240 away from container 220 to open packaging assembly 200 and access a product packaged in packaging assembly 200. FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first sheet 322 for forming a container, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second sheet 344 for forming a lid 340, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a packaging assembly 300 including a container 320 formed using first sheet 322 of FIG. 5A and a lid 340 formed using second sheet 344 of FIG. 5B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0085] First sheet 322 is similar to first sheet 222 of FIG. 4A, and second sheet 344 is similar to second sheet 244 of FIG. 4G, with like elements designated by like reference characters. However, bottom portion 124 of first sheet 322 has a rectangular shape and base portion 146 of second sheet 344 has a rectangular shape. Additionally, unsealed tab 164 is at edge 168 connected to the top of a flange 148.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, due to the rectangular shape of bottom portion 124, container 320 may include four walls 126 and four pleats 128. Further, due to the rectangular shape of base portion 146, lid 340 may include four flanges 148. Packaging assembly 300 including container 320 and lid 340 (each having rectangular bases) may be more economical and easier to form in a packaging line.
[0087] Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross referenced, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application governs.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0088] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing sizes, amounts, ranges, limits, and physical and other properties used in the present application are to be understood as being preceded in all instances of the term “about.” Accordingly, unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application.
[0089] As used in the present application, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in the present application, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and / or”, “unless” the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0090] Spatially related terms, including, but not limited to, “lower,” “upper,” “beneath,” “below,” “above,” “bottom,” and “top,” if used in the present application, are used for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures and described in the present application. For example, if an object depicted in the drawings is turned over or flipped over, elements previously described as below, or beneath other elements would then be above those other elements.
[0091] The drawings show some but not all embodiments. The elements depicted in the drawings are illustrative and not necessarily to scale, and the same (or similar) reference numbers denote the same (or similar) features throughout the drawings.
[0092] The description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed are illustrative only and should not be interpreted as limiting. The present invention includes the description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed; but it is not limited to such description, examples, embodiments, or drawings. As briefly described above, the reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging arts, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0093] Embodiments of the packaging assembly include:
[0094] A. A packaging assembly comprising:
[0095] a container comprised of a first sheet folded to result in a bottom portion, three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion, each wall connected to another wall by a pleat, the pleat formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forming two wings, each wing arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall;
[0096] a product located within the container and in contact with the bottom portion and a lower portion of each wall; and
[0097] a lid comprised of a second sheet folded to result in a base portion having a shape resembling a shape of the bottom portion of the container, and flanges extending upward from the base portion, the flanges connected with an upper portion of each wall of the container.
[0098] B. The packaging assembly of embodiment A, wherein the container comprises from three to eight walls.
[0099] C. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.
[0100] D. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
[0101] E. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet have the same structure.
[0102] F. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the product is further in contact with each wing.
[0103] G. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the connection of the flanges to the walls is made between a surface of the lid that is facing the product and a surface of the container that is facing the product.
[0104] H. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the flanges are sealingly connected to the walls.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0105] I. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the lid further comprises an unsealed tab at an edge configured to facilitate opening of the packaging assembly.
[0106] J. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein at each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0107] K. The packaging assembly of any previous embodiment, wherein the flanges are further connected to a top portion of one or more wings.
[0108] Embodiments of the container include:
[0109] L. A container for soft food, the container comprising a first sheet folded into a configuration comprising:
[0110] a bottom portion;
[0111] three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion;
[0112] a pleat connecting each wall to another wall, the pleat formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings, each wing arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall, and each pleat having a height extending from an apex of the folds to the top edge where it meets a wall;
[0113] wherein at each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from the apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0114] M. The container of embodiment L, wherein the distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is in a range of from 1 mm to 5 mm greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
[0115] N. The container of any previous embodiment, wherein a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO
[0116] O. The container of any previous embodiment, wherein the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
[0117] P. The container of any previous embodiment, wherein the container comprises from three to eight walls.
Claims
Attorney Case No. 21417-WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A packaging assembly comprising:a container comprised of a first sheet folded to result in a bottom portion, three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion, each wall connected to another wall by a pleat, the pleat formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forming two wings, each wing arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall;a product located within the container and in contact with the bottom portion and a lower portion of each wall; anda lid comprised of a second sheet folded to result in a base portion having a shape resembling a shape of the bottom portion of the container, and flanges extending upward from the base portion, the flanges connected with an upper portion of each wall of the container.
2. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises from three to eight walls.
3. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.
4. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
5. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet have the same structure.
6. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the product is further in contact with each wing.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO7. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection of the flanges to the walls is made between a surface of the lid that is facing the product and a surface of the container that is facing the product.
8. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the flanges are sealingly connected to the walls.
9. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises an unsealed tab at an edge configured to facilitate opening of the packaging assembly.
10. The packaging assembly of claim 1 , wherein at each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
11. The packaging assembly of claim 10, wherein the flanges are further connected to a top portion of one or more wings.
12. A container for soft food, the container comprising a first sheet folded into a configuration comprising:a bottom portion;three or more walls extending upward from the bottom portion;a pleat connecting each wall to another wall, the pleat formed by five folds arranged in a fan shape and forms two wings, each wing arranged flat against an inside surface of an adjacent wall, and each pleat having a height extending from an apex of the folds to the top edge where it meets a wall;wherein at each connection of a pleat to a wall, a distance measured along the connection from the apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.Attorney Case No. 21417-WO13. The container of claim 12, wherein the distance measured along the connection from an apex of the fan shape of the pleat folds to the top of the wall is in a range of from 1 mm to 5 mm greater than a distance measured along the connection from the apex to the top of the pleat.
14. The container of claim 12, wherein a perimeter of the bottom portion consists of folds connecting the bottom portion to each of the three or more walls.
15. The container of claim 12, wherein the two wings of each pleat are adhered to an inside surface of an adjacent wall.
16. The container of claim 12, wherein the container comprises from three to eight walls.