FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package for containing a variety of products and for dispensing these contained products into a receptacle that can be deployed from the package. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a bag or box for containing and dispensing consumer goods such as food items, e.g., chips or other snacks, or for containing and dispensing other consumer goods, such as granulated sugar, flour, or powdered laundry detergents. Among other advantages, these packages are useful for dispensing the desired quantity of the contained product into the deployable receptacle without the need to reach into the package and potentially contaminate the contents of the package or one’s hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a plurality of items is packaged together, a bag or box is often used. For example, many snack foods (including, but not limited to, potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn) are packaged in a flexible bag and many breakfast cereals are packaged in a cardboard box (often housing an inner, sealed flexible bag that contains the cereal to retain freshness). This packaging serves many purposes including protection from the environment, protection from transport, and retaining the freshness of the product. Additionally, the packaging often acts as the final receptacle in which the product will be used or consumed. For example, many people will eat potato chips directly out of the bag in which they are packaged. There are many unpleasantries, however, when using the current packaging in this manner. For example, it can be unsanitary to stick one’s hand inside a bag of chips. As another example, sticking one’s hand inside a bag of chips can cause one’s hand to get dirty. To address these issues, some people will open the bag or box in a way that permanently damages its integrity and prevents it from effectively serving as a receptacle for the product, or from being reclosed to store unconsumed product. Other people might transfer the contents of the bag or box into a more user- friendly receptacle such as a bowl. This, however, can be inconvenient and results in additional cleanup. U.S. Patent No. 6,206,279 describes a reclosable, stackable, standable package for food products. The package is designed to stay in a widened and open configuration to make hand-to-mouth snacking more user-friendly. However, a user will still need to reach their hand inside of the package to retrieve the contents. Further, this invention only relates to packages comprising a carton, i.e., it is not contemplated to be used for food products that normally or preferably come in bags.

U.S. Patent No. 5,292,058 describes a similar package including an expandable top opening. This package is designed to allow certain panels to flex into a non-planar shape for the primary purpose of expanding the top opening to remove dry ingredients from the interior without the need to pour or empty the contents from the package for use. Although this package might make hand-to-mouth snacking more user-friendly than with a normal carton, a user will still need to reach their hand or a tool inside of the package to retrieve the contents. Further, this invention is limited to packages such as cartons.

U.S. Publ. 2007/0248292A1 describes a snack bag with two opening edges each having a resilient member. This package is also designed to maintain an open configuration and function as a bowl-like container. However, a user will still need to reach their hand inside of the package to retrieve the contents. Additionally, manufacturing this bag can involve more material than conventional bags and can be a more costly and complex process compared to the packaging currently used for many snack food items.

Thus, a need exists for improved types of packaging. In particular, a need exists for a cost-effective technology suitable for a variety of container types that will allow a user to easily access the contents of the container in a manner that is convenient, sanitary, and generally pleasant to use. Disclosed in the present invention is a novel and useful technology for solving these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in certain embodiments, to improved types of packaging and methods for containing and dispensing products from these packages. The present invention is useful for providing a cost-effective packaging that will allow a user to conveniently access its contents without having to stick one’s hand or a tool (e.g., a spoon, fork, measuring cup, etc.) inside of the packaging. Additionally, the technology of the present invention can be incorporated into many different types of containers and thus its utility is not restricted to one specific type of container, e.g., a bag or a box or other carton. Among other examples, this invention can be useful for certain types of food packaging, for example a bag of potato chips.

The present invention is based on a system whereby a pre-folded receptacle or flap is affixed to one or more sides of a container such that when a user desires to access the contents of the container, the receptacle can be easily unfolded or deployed to serve as a holder in which the contents can be easily transferred and accessed. For example, according to the present invention, in some embodiments, a user could open a sealed bag of chips in the same manner as they do with current packaging. Then once opened, the user could unfold or deploy the receptacle to reveal a bowl-like holder where the chips can be easily transferred and consumed without ever having to stick their hand inside of the bag.

In one aspect, a package for containing and dispensing a product is provided including a containment element or container for containing the product prior to dispensing of the product, and a foldably disposed or folded, deployable receptacle for dispensing and containing the product after deployment of the receptacle.

The receptacle may be attached to the container. In some embodiments the receptacle is permanently or semi-permanently attached and in other embodiments the receptacle is releasably attached. In some embodiments, the receptacle is attached to an inside surface of the container. For example, the receptacle may be attached to an inside surface prior to filling and sealing the container closed. In other embodiments, the receptacle is attached to an outside surface of the container.

The container may include one or more inside surfaces and one or more outside surfaces. In some embodiments, the receptacle includes a bottom panel, and at least one side panel. In some embodiments, the receptacle includes a bottom panel, at least one front panel, and at least two side panels. The bottom panel may include a top surface and a bottom surface, each front panel may include an inside surface and an outside surface, and each side panel may include an inside surface and an outside surface. In some embodiments, each front panel and each side panel is affixed to the bottom panel. The bottom panel, each front panel, and each side panel may also comprise a single continuous construct from a single piece of material, e.g., delineated by fold lines or creases.

In some embodiments, the receptacle is foldably disposed or folded prior to deployment and/or fully unfolded after deployment. The foldably disposed receptacle is located inside the container prior to deployment in some embodiments. The foldably disposed receptacle may be partially or fully unfolded during deployment, and located inside, partially inside, or outside of the container during deployment. The foldably disposed receptacle may be fully unfolded outside of the container after deployment.

In other embodiments, the foldably disposed receptacle is located outside the container prior to deployment. The foldably disposed receptacle may be partially or fully unfolded during deployment, and fully unfolded after deployment.

In another aspect, a receptacle for dispensing and containing a product from a package after deployment of the receptacle from the package is provided including a bottom panel, the bottom panel including an attachment surface on a proximal end attachable to the package, a front panel on a distal end of the bottom panel, and at least one side panel, wherein the front panel and the at least one side panel are at least partially collapsible.

In another aspect, a packaged product is provided comprising a package according to the present invention and a product, e.g., at least partially filling the package. The product may be a consumer product, such as a food product or a snack product.

In another aspect, a method for dispensing a defined or desired quantity of a product from a packaged product according is provided. The method may include the steps of deploying the receptacle of the package and agitating and tilting the package to dispense the defined quantity of the product into the receptacle.

These and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view (from below) of the bottom side of a receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view (from above) of the top side of an unfolded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bag containing a folded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention affixed to the inside of one of the bag’s sides.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view (from above) of a bag with a partially unfolded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a bag with a fully unfolded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention. Also shown is the package in use with a representative snack product such as potato chips 19 dispensed from the container (bag 15) into the receptacle 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in certain embodiments, to improved methods and types of packaging, in particular to a variety of container types that allows users to access the contents of the package in a more convenient, sanitary, and pleasant way.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the bottom side 10 of a receptacle 1 of a certain embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle 1 may have a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. In some embodiments, the receptacle 1 includes a bottom panel, at least one side panel, and/or at least one front panel. From this view, in this embodiment, the bottom side 10 and outer walls of the side panels 11 of a receptacle 1 are visible. The side panels 11 may be affixed to the bottom side or panel 10. Alternatively, the panels may comprise a single continuous construct from a single piece of material, e.g., delineated by fold lines or creases.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view (from above) of the top side 12 of an unfolded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention. From this view, in this embodiment, the outer wall of one side panel 11 , inner wall of one side panel 17, and the inner wall of a front panel 18 are visible. As it can be clearly seen, when the receptacle 1 is unfolded, the top side 12, side panels 11 , 17, and front panel 18 work together to form a bowl-like receptacle.

In some embodiments, the fully deployed receptacle 1 defines a roughly 3- dimensional shape. For example, the receptacle 1 may define a shape selected from cubic, rectangular, triangular, pyramidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, semispherical, oval shapes, funnel shapes, or novelty shapes.

In some embodiments, the receptacle 1 is a separate piece that is temporarily or permanently affixed to one or more sides of a container via the underside edge of a base fold 13 or attachment fold or surface of the receptacle 1. The receptacle 1 may be permanently, semi-permanently, or releasably attached to a container (e.g., on an inside surface of the container or an outside surface of the container). For example, the receptacle may be attached to an inside surface prior to filling and sealing the container closed. The receptacle can be affixed via several different methods. By way of example, some, but not all, ways of affixing the receptacle 1 to the container are via an adhesive or via thermosealing. In other embodiments, the receptacle 1 is an extension of one or more sides of a container, for example, the receptacle 1 may not be a separate piece and the section containing the base fold 13 may also be one or more sides of the container.

The container may be selected from a bag, a box (including cartons), a tube, a bottle, a can, a jar, a jug, a cup, a bin, or a canister. In one embodiment, the container is a box (which can include cartons). In another embodiment, the container is a canister. In an embodiment illustrated herein, the container is a bag.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a bag 15 containing a folded or collapsed receptacle 1 of a certain embodiment of the present invention affixed to the inside of one of the bag’s sides 16. The bag 15 is shown in an open configuration, e.g., after opening or, in some processes, prior to filling with a product. The bottom side 10 of the folded receptacle is shown. The side panels 11, 17, front panel 14, 18, and base fold 13 are identified but hidden from view from this perspective.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view (from above) of a bag 15 with a partially unfolded receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention. The top side 12, outer walls of the side panels 11, and outer wall of the front panel 14 of the receptacle can be seen. In this embodiment, in the partially unfolded form, these components of the receptacle are flat, i.e., they are on a single plane. Additionally, the base fold 13 is shown attached to the inside of one of the bag’s sides 16. It is around the axis of base fold 13 that the receptacle pivots to transform from the portrayal of FIG. 3, where the receptacle is folded to rest inside the bag 15, to the portrayal of FIG. 4, where the receptacle has been partially unfolded to rest outside of the bag 15.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a bag 15 with a fully unfolded or deployed receptacle of a certain embodiment of the present invention. Also shown is the package in use with a snack food such as potato chips 19 dispensed from the bag 15 into the receptacle 1. In FIG. 5, the top side 12, inner wall of one side panel 17, outer wall of one side panel 11 , and outer wall of the front panel 14 of a receptacle are shown. The inner wall of the front panel 18 is also identified, although it is hidden from view from this perspective. It can be clearly seen how these pieces work together to form a bowl-like receptacle. Additionally, FIG. 5 shows where the base fold 13 connects the receptacle to the inner wall of one side of the bag 16.

While FIG. 5 illustrates the package being used with potato chips 19, the present invention may be used with other packaged products. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a packaged product being a snack product selected from potato chips, popcorn, pretzels, corn chips, trail mix, crackers, nuts, fries, cookies, cheese snacks, or other plurality of generally bite-sized snack foods. In other embodiments the present invention relates to a packaged product being a food product selected from flour, granulated coffee or coffee beans, corn meal, instant potatoes, pancake mix, biscuit mix, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, oatmeal, rice, confections, or dry breakfast cereal. In other embodiments the present invention relates to a packaged product being a consumer product selected from granulated laundry detergent, powdered dishwashing detergent, powdered cleanser, talcum powder, powdered carpet freshener, toys, blocks, games, or jewelry.

In some embodiments, the receptacle, when folded, will rest inside the container, and in other embodiments, the folded receptacle can rest outside of the container. The receptacle can comprise many different materials. In some embodiments, the receptacle will be the same material as the container, and in other embodiments, it will be a different material. In some embodiments, the receptacle will be manufactured as a single continuous article from a single piece of material, e.g., the side panels and front panels are delineated from the bottom panel by one or more folds or creases. In some embodiments, the receptacle will be manufactured from separate pieces of materials, e.g., wherein the bottom and the side are made from different pieces of material and affixed to each other. In some embodiments the receptacle and the container will be manufactured as a single continuous article from a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the receptacle and container will be manufactured from separate pieces of material, wherein they can be temporarily or permanently affixed after each piece is manufactured or during manufacturing.

The receptacle can be designed to create many different shapes and sizes, both in its folded and unfolded forms. In some embodiments, the receptacle will unfold into a receptacle with one corner, and in other embodiments the receptacle might have two corners or three corners or four corners or in some embodiments five or more corners. In other embodiments, the receptacle will unfold into a receptacle with no corners at all. In some embodiments, the receptacle can unfold into a receptacle that is designed to dispense the container’s contents to one’s hands. In other embodiments, the receptacle can unfold into a receptacle that is designed to dispense the container’s contents directly into one’s mouth. An example of a design that may be used to dispense the container’s contents directly into one’s mouth is a funnel. In such a funnel design, the receptacle would comprise a further opening or aperture through which the contents of the container and receptacle can be dispensed. In some embodiments, the receptacle will be designed to represent - in its folded or unfolded form - a novelty shape or shape that is the recognizable form of some object. For example, the receptacle might unfold to resemble a star or a heart or the head of a cartoon character, for example a mouse with two big ears. In some embodiments, only one receptacle will be incorporated, and in other embodiments two or even more receptacles will be incorporated.

In some embodiments, the receptacle will be designed into a roughly 3- dimensional shape. For example, the receptacle might unfold to generally resemble a cubic, rectangular, triangular, pyramidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, oval, or semispherical shape. In some embodiments, the receptacle may contain only a bottom panel and a side panel (for example, as it might in a semispherically shaped receptacle). In other embodiments, the receptacle can contain a bottom panel and more than one side panel (for example, as it might in a triangular shaped receptacle). In other embodiments, the receptacle can contain a bottom panel, at least one side panel, and at least one front panel (for example, as it might in a cubic, trapezoidal, or hexagonal shaped receptacle).

The receptacle can be positioned in many areas inside or outside of the container, and the technology of the present invention does not preclude a container from being capable of being resealed. For example, in some embodiments, there will be a mechanism to reseal the container in addition to the technology of the present invention. T o provide just one example, this can be easily contemplated by incorporating interlocking plastic strips on opposite walls of a bag near the bag’s opening. In some embodiments, the receptacle will be flexible. In other embodiments, the receptacle will be rigid. In some embodiments, the receptacle itself can be used to help close the container. For example, it can be contemplated that the partially unfolded receptacle as portrayed in FIG. 4 can be folded over the outside wall of the bag 15 such that the receptacle covers the opening of the bag. It can be further contemplated that a mechanism can be incorporated to temporarily affix the receptacle to the outside wall of the bag 15 such that it further assists in keeping the container closed. To provide an example, this can be easily accomplished by incorporating an adhesive into the receptacle.

Both the receptacle and the container can be made from many different materials. In some embodiments, these materials will be the same, and in other embodiments these materials will be different. Some, but not all, examples of materials that may be used to create the receptacle are metals or metal based materials (including, but not limited to, aluminum, aluminum foil, laminates, metallized films, tinplate, and tin-free steel), plastics, including both thermosets and thermoplastics (including, but not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, biaxially oriented polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, Surlyn®, polylactic acid, and laminates and co-extrusions), glass, wood, and paper and paperboard (including, but not limited to, kraft paper, sulfite paper, greaseproof paper, glassine, parchment paper, white board, solid board, chipboard, fiberboard, and paper laminates). Some, but not all, examples of materials that may be used to create the container are metals or metal based materials (including, but not limited to, aluminum, aluminum foil, laminates, metallized films, tinplate, and tin-free steel), plastics, including both thermosets and thermoplastics (including, but not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, biaxially oriented polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, Surlyn, polylactic acid, and laminates and co-extrusions), glass, wood, and paper and paperboard (including, but not limited to, kraft paper, sulfite paper, greaseproof paper, glassine, parchment paper, white board, solid board, chipboard, cardboard, fiberboard, and paper laminates). It can be appreciated that this is not a complete list and that a package of the present invention can be made using many other materials that are commonly used in the packaging industry.

The technology of the present invention can be incorporated into many different types of packaging or containers. Some, but not all, examples of different containers for which the technology of the present invention will be useful are bags (or other types of flexible packaging), boxes (such as cartons), tubes, bottles, cans, jars, jugs, cups, funnels, and bins. See, www.ift.org/knowledge-center/read-ift-publications/science- reports/scientific-status-summaries/food-packaging.aspx.

There are several different methods by which one could make a package with the technology of the present invention. As just one example, a receptacle as described herein, can be affixed to the inside wall of one or more sides of a container. The receptacle can be affixed via several different methods. By way of example, some, but not all, ways of affixing the receptacle to the container are via an adhesive or via thermosealing.

The entire disclosure of each of the patent documents, including certificates of correction, patent application documents, scientific articles, governmental reports, websites, and other references referred to herein is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. In case of a conflict in terminology, the present specification controls.

The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein. In the various embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention, where the term comprises is used with respect to the recited steps of the methods or components of the manufactures, it is also contemplated that the methods and manufactures consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited steps or components. Furthermore, it should be understood that the order of steps or order for performing certain actions is immaterial so long as the invention remains operable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions can be conducted simultaneously.

In the specification, the singular forms also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In the case of conflict, the present specification will control.