PACKAGE OPENING AND METHOD THEREFOR

The present invention relates to a package. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to package that is rupturable so as to create an opening in the package, yet the package is resistant to rupture from undue forces from particular directions.

Packages that are designed to rupture by an application of force or pressure exist. The rupturing occurs to allow package content to be expelled. Some such packages include a dedicated region where rupturing will occur when a force or pressure is applied. US 20120223099 and US 5195658 describe examples.

Such packages may be prone to premature rupture. This premature rupture may be due to undue forces on the package; such as impacts from falling against the ground; in transit where a plurality of packages may be contained in a larger container the packages may rupture as they are too tightly constrained with the container; high atmospheric pressures etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a package opening and method therefor which overcomes or at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

In a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a package comprising a containment region for contents comprising of a solid and a fluid and defined by at least one piece of plastic film, formed to define four side wall regions extending between a top seam and a burst seam opposite the top seam, the burst seam extending non- parallel the top seam when the package is viewed from the top down and where the burst seam is shaped and/or configured to assume a concave base of the package at least when the containment region contains said contents.

Preferably a lower containment region of the package, extending upward from the burst seam, is where the solid settles when the package contains said contents and is in its natural upright position (burst seam at the bottom and top seam at the top).

Preferably an upper containment region of the package, extending downwardly from the upper seam, is where the fluid is located when the package contains said contents and is in its natural upright position.

Preferably the upper containment region and lower containment region are separated by a layer of plastic film.

Preferably the fluid is gas. Preferably the upper containment region is from at least 1/3 of the way from the burst seam to the top seam.

Preferably the upper containment region is from at least 1/2 of the way from the burst seam to the top seam.

Preferably the burst seam is provided at a junction of two of said four side walls and has terminal ends that lie each side of a notional vertical plane in which the top seam lies.

Preferably the terminal ends of the burst seam are the parts of the package that are located the furthermost from the notional plane.

Preferably the top seam is provided at a junction of the other two of said four side walls and has terminal ends that lie in said notional vertical plane.

Preferably the other two side walls are parallel the top seam.

Preferably the first mentioned two side walls are parallel a notional vertical plane that extends through the burst seam.

Preferably the burst seam defines a burst region at where the package can burst to discharge content from the package.

Preferably the burst region is located between the two terminal ends of the burst seam.

Preferably the burst region is located midway the terminal ends.

Preferably the burst region is the entire length of the burst seam.

Preferably the burst region is part of the length of the burst seam.

Preferably the burst seam is able to move to a less concave configuration when moving to a bursting configuration.

Preferably the burst seam moves from its concave configuration to a less concave configuration upon an increase in pressure of the fluid, induced by a squeezing of the sidewalls at the upper region of the package.

Preferably the squeezing is of the second mentioned two side wall regions. Preferably the squeezing results in the second mentioned two side walls coming together more.

Preferably the squeezing results the volumetric expansion of the lower region of the package.

Preferably the squeezing results in the application of downward pressure on said solid content that causes the burst seam to move to a less concave configuration.

Preferably the burst region is defined by one of

i) a line of weakness, and

ii) a region of weaker bonding between plies of the film compared to other bonded regions of plies of the film, and

iii) a region of less extensive bonding between plies of the film compared to other bonded regions of plies of the film, and

iv) a region of increased resistance to stretch.

Preferably the package is of a depth at the top seam that is the thickness of the plies of film bonded thereat and is of a width at the burst seam that is the thickness of the plies of film bonded there that, the second mentioned two side walls extending in the width-wise direction and the first mentioned two side walls extending in the depth-wise direction.

Preferably the package is contained inside an outer bladder.

Preferably the outer bladder is sealed yet openable to allow contents to be dispensed from the outer bladder.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a package as hereinabove described within which a solid and a fluid are contained.

Preferably the solid is of a flowable material.

Preferably the solid is of a granular nature.

Preferably the solid is a powder nature.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a plurality of packages as hereinabove described within which a solid and a fluid are contained the packages consolidated in a side by side manner for transport with the top seams substantially parallel each other and the burst seams substantially parallel (and preferably in the same notional vertical plane) each other. Preferably each package is contained in a sealed outer bladder.

Preferably the outer bladder has two side wall regions that extend between an upper and lower end of the outer bladder.

Preferably the burst seam extends perpendicular the side wall regions.

Preferably the burst seam extents between the side wall regions.

Preferably the burst seam extends between the side wall regions at a location intermediate of the upper and lower ends of the bladder.

Preferably the burst seam extends between the side wall regions at a location intermediate of the upper and lower ends of the bladder and intermediate edges of the outer bladder that extend between the upper and lower ends.

Preferably the top seam of the package is located at the upper end of the outer bladder.

Preferably the top seam of the package is bonded to the outer bladder at the upper end of the bladder.

Preferably the top seam extends in the same direction of the seam formed at the upper end of the bladder that seals the outer bladder at the upper region.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a package as described above, wherein the package and the outer bladder are bonded to each other by a heat seam.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the

accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Where the term 'bursting' is used, it is generally meant to cover many activation styles of the burst seam, where activation could include bursting, rupturing, tearing, and preferably a peeling apart of the plies that form the seam so that the contents can burst out. Activation is preferably caused by the user.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known

equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which :

Figure 1: shows a front/side perspective view of a package.

Figure 2: shows a front/side perspective view of a further package, and a

notional plane.

Figure 3: shows a top view of the package of Figure 2.

Figure 4A-4D: shows one embodiment of a manufacturing process of a package from a tube.

Figure 5A-5D: shows a side schematic view of a package being burst by a user Figure 6A: shows a side schematic view of a package in a pre-bursting

configuration.

Figure 6B: shows the package of 6A with undue forces at the outer regions

Figure 7A: shows a side schematic view of the package in an outer bladder pre- bursting.

Figure 7B: shows a package of 7A with undue forces upon it.

Figure 8: shows a side schematic view of a package and packages in outer bladders contained within a container.

Figure 9A: shows a side schematic view of a rupture seam of an alternative embodiment.

Figure 9B: shows the rupture seam of Figure 9A being ruptured. Figure 10A-10C: shows a side schematic view of a package being burst within an outer bladder.

Figure 11: shows a front schematic view of a package within an outer bladder Figure 12: shows a bottom cross sectional view AA of a package 1 within an outer bladder, where the package has been ruptured to show the opening.

Figure 13A: shows a side perspective view a tube to be formed into a package Figure 13B: shows a side perspective view of a tube with a hard seal at one end. Figure 13C: shows a side perspective view of a tube with an end inverted to form a contents containment region.

Figure 13D: shows a side perspective view of a tube with contents being inserted into a contents containment region.

Figure 13E: shows a side perspective view of the contents containment region containing contents.

Figure 13F: shows a side perspective view of the contents containment region sealed to form an inner pouch with a burst seam

Figure 13G: shows a side perspective view schematically shown gas entering into the gas containment region.

Figure 13H: shows a side perspective view of package of the current embodiment Figure 14: shows a side perspective view of a package with an inner pouch been grasped by a user.

Figure 15A: shows a side perspective view of a package, with an inner pouch, being grasped by a user who is applying pressure to the package to subsequently extend the burst seam from a concave configuration to a straight configuration or less concave configuration.

Figure 15B: shows a side perspective view of a package being opened at the burst seam by a user applying pressure to the package.

Figure 15C: shows a front schematic view of a package of figure 15A, showing the contents expelling out of the contents containment region.

Figure 15D: shows a front schematic view of a package of figure 15A, showing the inner pouch fully extended out.

Figure 16A: shows a side schematic view of a package with a preformed concave upwards burst seam.

Figure 16B: shows a side schematic view of a package with a preformed convex downwards burst seam.

Figure 16C: shows a side schematic view of a package with a preformed angled burst seam. Figure 17A: shows side perspective view showing the concave region and the burst seam lying flat towards its middle.

Figure 17B: shows top view of figure 17A showing the concave region and the burst seam lying flat towards its middle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a package 1 as can for example be seen with reference to at least Figure 1. The package 1 may be incorporated as a component in a pack such as pack 100 or be provided on its own.

The package 1, the construction of which will hereinafter be described, is sealed and able to contain contents 21 yet is configured to expel its contents 21 upon application of an external force applied by a user 20. The package 1 is configured to burst to expel its contents 21 upon receipt of an external force from a user 20 at a region on the package 1, but resist bursting due to undue external forces 24 received at a different location on the package 1. The package 1 is hence able to be more easily burst when required by a user 20, but still be resistant to bursting when other forces 24 (undue forces) are applied to it, for example during transit, or unforeseen impact.

The package 1 in one embodiment may be formed from a substantially elongate cylindrical tube 40 (Figure 4A and 13A) of flexible plastic film. The tube may have each of its ends sealed (Figure 4C). The seals may be described as a top seam 5, and a rupture / burst seam 4. The burst seam 4 is at the opposite end of to the top seam. In the embodiment where the package is formed from a tube, there is a single wall 3 of plastic film running intermediate the top seam 5 and the burst seam 4. The top seam 5 and burst seam 4 extend across the entire width of the tube to close the top and bottom of the tube and create a containment region 13 for holding contents 21. The contents 21 may naturally settle into a lower containment region towards the bottom of the package, whilst the rest of the containment region, such as an upper containment region contains gas.

The burst seam 4 may be entirely prone to rupture, or it may only have a portion of that is prone to rupture. The region prone to rupture may be called the burst region 2. The burst region 2 is located intermediate the outer regions 12 (also known as terminal ends), on the burst seam 4. The burst region once ruptured or burst, creates an opening 15 for the contents 21 to escape or egress from the containment region 13.

The seams are preferably created by heat or ultrasonic welding of the tube. In use, the package 1 has contents 21. The contents may comprise a solid and/or a fluid. The fluid may be a liquid and/or it may be a gas). Described later, the package 1 contains a solid which is the desired contents 21 to be expelled, and a gas.

The gas is preferably at or above atmospheric pressure. More preferably, the gas is a pressure of between two and ten PSI. In the preferred embodiment the gas is at a pressure of between three and six PSI. In one embodiment, the containment region 13 is a pressure of four PSI. The appropriate pressure is based on the contents, the

configuration and shape of the package 1, the volume of the package 1, and/or the composition of the package 1. The pressure should be of such a pressure that the concave region 10 of the seam 4 is preferably formed, and the user is able to apply a user-friendly amount of force to the package 1 so as to burst the burst seam 4.

Preferably there is sufficient static gas pressure to maintain the concave region 10 once it is formed. Also, preferably there is contained in the package enough gas to ensure complete expulsion of co-contained product (powder). Finally, there is preferably enough gas volume and pressure so that the burst seam may open as intended when the mixed contents are required for use.

The contents of the package 1 in one example, is a combination of a powdered material, and an inert gas. The powdered material (or granular or likewise) may settle at the base of the package 1 towards the burst seam 4. The inert gas is located at an upper region of the package 1 above the contents. Preferably the package 1 contains the bottom third, in height, of solid (powder, granules or likewise), and the top two thirds of height of the package 1 contains the fluid/gas. In other embodiments the ratio is more towards halfway full of solids, whilst the top half of the package 1 is gas/fluid. In other embodiments, the content ratio of solids to gas/fluids may be more or less.

Squeezing the walls 3 of the package 1 together, will compress the gas and increase the internal pressure of the package 1. This increase in internal pressure can burst the burst seam 4. The seam 4, or a portion of it, will rupture to form an opening to the enclose and allow at least some of the contents 21 to be expelled from the package

1.

In a preferred embodiment there is at least an area of gas or liquid above the contents that a user is able to squeeze so as to create enough internal pressure to rupture the burst region 2, to create an opening 15. For the larger packets, there may be much less solid material with respect to the height of the package, i.e. only the bottom burst seam 4 may be covered. Alternatively, the package 1 may be almost completely filled with solid if there is enough volume of gas, accessible to the user to squeeze, to be able to create a high internal pressure to rupture the packet 1. If the package 1 is inflated, pre-squeezing, at a higher pressure, then less increase in pressure is needed from the applied forces from a user. I.e. if the package 1 already has a high internal pressure, less void or gas is required to be compressed as the pressure is already close to the bursting pressure.

The top seam 5 is preferably of a stronger weld (or configured to be of greater resistance to bursting) than the burst seam. This ensure that when appropriate pressure is applied to the package, the burst seam will rupture and not the top seam.

The burst seam 4 is preferably configured in a way to resist undue forces 24 applied to the package causing a bursting or rupturing of the burst seam 4. The burst seam 4 is configured in a way such that in its in use, and pre-bursting condition 22

(Figure 5A), the burst seam 4 has a concave region 10. Only by straightening out of this concave region 10, to a less concave shape (Figure 5C), can the burst seam 4 more readily burst. Movement of the burst seam 4 into a more tight/smaller radius concave shape may not lead (or less readily lead) to bursting or rupture of the burst seam 4.

At the periphery of the concave region 10/burst seam 4 are outer regions 12. In one embodiment, as shown in figure 1, the outer regions 12 are corners of the package 1. The outer regions 12 may be curved, acute corners, right angle corners, or a shape in between.

In the preferred embodiment, the package 1 is formed into a tetrahedral shape. This may be manufactured for example and as shown in Figure 1, by the cylindrical tube having the top seal 5 at an angle to the burst seam 4. If seen in top down view (X) the angle between the two seams is preferably 90 degrees. As such, the package 1 may generally be formed to have four walls. Two walls 3, which generally oppose each other and extend down from the top seam 5 and two walls 6 which generally oppose each other and extend up from the burst seam 4.

The shape of the package 1 is not a strict tetrahedral shape, as it is formed from pliable material - so there may not always be marked delineation between the walls. Instead, extending down from the top seam 5, the package may form a substantially elliptical or cylindrical shape before extending into the four more defined walls 3 and walls 6 leading to the bottom burst seam 4. An example of this is shown in figures 1 and 2, where figure 1 is strictly tetrahedral and figure 2 is more realistically elliptical with ill-defined boundary regions between the walls 3 and walls 6.

In a preferred form the package 1 is of a construction to provide it inherently with some volume. If it were constructed of two lay flat sheets of material with top seam and burst seam parallel to each other when seen in top down view, its construction may only define a volume upon the introduction of content inside the package 1.

The "twist" of the tube, defined by the non-parallel seam 4 and seam 5 forms the cylindrical tube into a substantially tetrahedral shape as described above. In the preferred embodiment, in a direction looking from above in Figure 1 in direction X, between the seam 4 and seam 5, is preferably 90°. The burst seam 4, has outer regions 12, i.e. the ends of the burst seam 4, that extend in a direction orthogonally out from the top seam 5. For description purposes, we can say that the top seam 5 is on a notional plane 9 - as shown in figure 2. The outer regions 12 extend out from this notional plane.

In one embodiment the package 1 may be tapered so that the bottom region of the package 1 has a smaller cross sectional area then the top of the package 1. Thus when squeezed, the gas within the package 1 applies pressure to the top of the contents 21 which is of a larger area than the area of contents 21 acting on the burst seam 4. As such a greater pressure is applied to the burst team 4 due to the reduction of cross- sectional area.

The package 1 is configured to withstand undue forces 24 coming in from a substantially orthogonal direction from this notional plane 9 as seen in figure 2. I.e. normal to the plane 9. Particularly where such forces are applied to the package at where the preferred solid/liquid content is settled, rather than the void above that contains gas (except in an embodiment where the package is full of liquid). The undue forces 24 are more likely to come in contact with the outer regions 12, before they come in contact with other parts of the walls 3 due to the preferred package shape.

For example if the package is loaded in a box with like packages (as shown in figure 8) where the upper seams 5 are all parallel each other, the sidewall contact between packages is at the lower regions (preferable at or towards the outer regions 12) of the packages 1 at and/or towards the burst seam 4. Impact loading (e.g. the application of undue forces) on the box may compact some adjacent packages against each other and may result in the lower sidewalls coming or being forced together more.

The undue forces 24 may push in the outer regions 12 towards the notional plane 9. As the outer regions 12 are being pushed together, the concave region 10 becomes more tight (tighter radius at its apex). This is moving the seam 4 away from its more readily bust configuration and the burst seam 4 is hence unlikely to burst. The package 1 is configured to resist against undue forces 24 coming from a direction off the notional plane 9, i.e. undue forces 24 going towards the walls 3, and not the walls 6. This resistance is assisted when the lower region of the containment region 13 contains a solid material (even if flowable such as powder or grains).

In a further embodiment, during movement of the outer regions 12 the shape of the powder filled area of the containment region 13 changes due to the movement of burst seam 4, this causes the powder to move in multiple directions. This movement prevents caking/ settling of the powder thus keeping it fluid, and easily expelled from the package 1 and more easily mixed with the contents of the outer bladder 30.

In other words, undue forces 24 from a certain direction push the burst seam 4 to or towards a non-bursting configuration 23 (Figure 5A, 6B & 7B). As such the undue forces 24 on the package generally orthogonal to the notional plane 9, ideally get applied to the outer regions 12. The package is wider here than preferably elsewhere. As such the propensity of an accidental bursting of the package is reduced, because the undue forces 24 push the burst seam 4 towards a pre-bursting configuration 22 or at least away from its more-burstable configuration.

If a user 20 wants to burst the package 1, they can apply a force 25 to walls 3. Application of a force 25 higher up the package (away from the burst seam 4, towards seam 5) forces the walls 3 at such location inwards without forcing inwards the outer regions 12. In the preferred form the upper region of the packages contains a more fluid substance such as a liquid or gas.

The application of the force 25 increases the internal pressure of the package 1. Increasing the internal pressure of the package 1 in this way may push down the concave region 10, and extend outwards (away from the notional plane 9) the outer regions 12. This moves the burst region 2 (and sometimes burst seam 4) into a more- burstable configuration 26, where the concave region is less concave, and/or the burst seam 4 is in a non-bent, less bent or stretched condition.

The application of the force 25 causes the burst seam 4 to straighten, then open. As the burst seam 4 straightens the lower cross sectional shape of the package 1 changes from circular to oval due to the restriction caused by the burst seam 4.

It can hence be appreciated that the inward moving of the outer regions 12 does not burst the burst seam 4. Whereas outwards movement of the outer regions 12 can move the burst seam 4 to its bursting condition 26.

The burst seam 4, or burst region 2, can be of a plurality of different type of burst mechanisms. For example it may a peal seal, wherein the walls 6 peal apart from each other when in the bursting configuration. In other embodiments it may be a rip or tear style mechanism that is located at the apex of the concave region as shown in figures 9A & 9B. Movement apart of the outer regions 12, may tear apart the burst seam 4 at the apex of the concave region. As described above, the burst seam 4 is less biased to tear when the burst seam 4 is bent, or deformed upwards to be more concave. Only when the burst seam gets less concave, and extends downwards towards its un- deformed condition 26, is sufficient pressure/tension be applied to the burst region 2 to cause the bursting. The tension/pressure may occur from the stretching of the burst seam 4 due to the outer regions 12 extending away from each other.

The burst region 2 is preferably of a construction that is weaker than the other parts of the package 1. In a preferred form, the burst region 2 is provided where the panels/walls 6 of the package 1 are bonded together at the burst seam. In one embodiment, the package 1 is formed by two plies of the film material being bonded at their periphery to define the boundary of the package 1. The burst region 2 is provided at a region that is at the junction of the two plies.

The burst seam 4 may be pre-formed to form a concave upward shape to form the concave bottom region. In alternative embodiments, the burst seam 4 may be formed with a straight seam. Where a straight burst seam 4 is created, during filling of the package 1, the straight seam 4 can naturally be pushed/manipulated to assume a concave shape as it moves towards the top seam 5 at an intermediate region between the outer regions 12 during filling.

The burst seam 4 in some embodiments may be pre-formed with one of a variety of shapes, such as a concave upward shape (Figure 16A), a convex downwards shape as shown in Figure 16B (still perpendicular to the notational plane 9), angled as shown in Figure 16C (where one outer region 12 is further away from the top seam 5 than the opposite outer region 12), etc.

With the preformed concave upward burst seam 4, at or towards the middle of the burst seam there is more resistance to stretch, earlier in the activation of the package 1, and hence increased likelihood to initiate the burst seam opening at said middle. The preformed concave upward burst seam 4 may reduce the pressure required to burst. The preformed convex downwards shape burst seam 4 may increase the pressure required to burst, so might be useful if added pressure is needed to protect from accidental activation for any reason in a particular embodiment. It is envisaged that the burst seam 4 may be formed from a variety of shapes and configurations, each configured to have desired characteristics, what is essential is that the burst seem has its middle region pushed, and retained, inwards to form the concave region 10. When the top seam 5 is sealed (i.e. a hard non burstable seal) it may preferably not tend to want to form a concave region 10. This is because the hard seal has lost its flexibility in the sealing process, which is different to the burst seam 4 sealing process. This is why the top seam 5 may likely stay straight (or in its preformed shape) while the burst seam 4 tends to bend with assistance when pressurised to form and maintain a concave region 10.

In one embodiment, when first formed, the burst seam 4 is a straight seam with the same flexibility as the plastic it is formed from. The burst seam 4 points straight down and away from the top seam 4. In contrast, as the concave region 10 forms, the centre of burst seam 4 rolls over to lie substantially flat against the bottom of the package 1 as shown in Figure 17A and 17B. The burst seam 4 may be pinched in the kink of the concave region 10. The burst seam 4 still stands nearly straight down at the outer regions 12. This lie flat position and the fact that the whole width of the seam at the centre region of the burst 4 is being pinched together makes it virtually guaranteed that activation cannot be initiated at the centre of seam 4, whilst in a pre-burst configuration.

As the burst seam 4 is forced to straighten during application of deliberate force to sides 3 of the gas region the burst seam 4 extends to its preformed configuration, typically where it point straights down so force can act on the centre of the burst seam 4 and burst it.

In the figures the burst seam 4 is generally shown in an upright or standing configuration for clarity, but in operation, the burst seam 4 generally flips downwards and/or lies flat against walls 6 at the concave region 10. Generally the outer regions 12 of the burst seam 4 stay generally perpendicular to the notational plane 12, and in line with the preformed burst seam. The burst seam 4 lying flatter is shown in Figures 17A and 17B.

In one embodiment, the burst seam 4 has a concave region that has an internal angle of approximately 140 degrees.

The package 1 is preferably sealed with ullage, where the package 1 contains a solid or liquid of some form. The ullage allows there to be enough gas in the package 1 that is able to be compressed by a user, so as to be able to burst the burst region 2 when required. The package 1 may also fully contain a liquid, the user can still apply pressure to the package 1 to burst the package, increasing the internal pressure of the package 1, causing bursting of the burst region 2. The package 1 may also be sealed at higher than atmospheric pressure, i.e. a gas (or liquid) is pumped into the package 1, and the package 1 is sealed whilst containing a higher than atmospheric pressure. Sealing plastic packages at or above atmospheric pressure is known in the art, and will not be described herein.

The concave lower burst seam 4 can or may be formed from numerous methods. In a first method, the higher pressure of the above atmospheric pressure of the liquid or gas inside the package 1 may push the walls 3 and walls 6 of the tube like package 1 outwards. Pushing outwards of the walls draws in the concave region 10 between the outer regions 12. In combination, or alternatively, the weight of the contents 21 may push out the walls 6 and walls 3 of the tube like package 1 outwards. In a similar manner, this pushing outwards of the walls draws in the concave region 10 which is between the outer regions 12. Alternatively, or in combination with the above, external manipulation of the burst seam 4 may be used to create the concave region 10 or initiate the concave region 10. Alternatively, the concave region 10 is created solely by manipulating up the intermediate region between the outer regions 12. Such

manipulation may be by a finger of a manufacturer, or a mechanised rod or similar.

Preferably the concave region 10 may want to stay concave due to the shape and configuration of the substantially cylindrical walls, and the internal weight of the contents, or pressure of the contents, upon the walls. In some configurations, being shape and material dependent, the concave region once formed moves past an over centre point. Where the internal at rest pressure, nor the weight of the contents, is not able to push the concave region over centre, to its bursting configuration. In some embodiments and content fill configurations, the burst seam 4 may want to extend to a straight configuration without any external bursting forces as herein described, being applied. In such scenarios, an external restraint system may be used to hold the outer regions 12 towards each other so the concave region is maintained in a non-bursting configuration. In some embodiments, this may be a O-ring system that is wrapped around the lower part of the package 1, to hold the outer regions 12 towards each other, in other embodiments the use of the outer bladder walls, as described later, are used to help retain the outer regions 12 inwardly.

The package 1 may be filled, for example with a dry powder or the like, and with a gas charge (e.g. an inert gas such as nitrogen) - dependent on application. Once the package 1 is inflated and/or expanded via the pressure of such gas, it has an exterior three dimensional form. The package 1 may also form a three dimensional shape, having an inner volume, without contents other than air. This is due to the configuration of twist between the top seam and burst seam. When the package 1 is partially filled with a solid content 21 (preferable granular or powder form), and is in an upright position, the content 21 settles to the bottom or base region of the package 1. This base region is where the burst seam 4 is located. Undue forces 24 impacting on the sides orthogonal to the notional plane 9 may impact first on the outer regions 12. As the lower region of the package, including at the outer regions 12 is full with the solid contents 21, the content itself helps to resist the inwards undue forces 24. This is because the solid content 21 is more resistant to transport to other parts of the containment region 13 by virtue of undue forces displaced walls 3 compared to gas. To burst the package 1 a user 20 can apply direct force to an upper region, towards the top seam 5, of the package 1 where there is no or less of the solid contents 21 and the contents is preferably a liquid or gas. Applying pressure or force to this upper region may pressurise the contained gas to extend the outer regions 12 outwards, to extend the burst seam 4 into the bursting state 26 as shown in Figure 5C.

In the preferred form as can be seen in Figure 2 the top seam 5 of the package 1 extends in a direction on the notational plane 9, whereas the burst seam 4 extends in a direction lateral to the notional plane 9. In the preferred form the burst seam 4 lies in a plane that is perpendicular/orthogonal to the notional plane 9. However it will be appreciated that it need not be perpendicular and may be at a non-perpendicular angle. The purpose of having the burst seam 4 extend lateral the notional plane means that the outer regions 12 extend more outwards from the notional plane 9, than the walls 3 of the package 1 toward the top of the package. As described previously, this is to increase the likelihood of undue forces 24 being applied to the package at where the solid content is retained and/or the outer regions 12 before the walls 3.

Where the package 1 is contained within an outer bladder 30 (described below) to form a pack 100, ideally the outer regions 12 achieve contact with the outer walls 31 (shown in Figure 10A) of the outer package before the walls 3 or the fluid containing upper region of the walls 3 of the package 1.

In alternative embodiments, the package 1, has its top seam 5 and its burst seam 4 on the same plane as each other. As such the package 1 is not substantially tetrahedral shaped. The concave region 10 is still an important aspect of the invention, as movement from the non-bursting state 23 to the bursting state 26 still needs to occur for rupture to occur. It is this movement from the pre-bursting state 22 to the bursting state 26 of the concave region that allows some give/or slack in the package 1 so it does not rupture immediately upon an external force being applied to it. The package can absorb the undue forces 24 on both walls 6 and/or walls 3. The concave region 10 allows give in the package 1. For example if undue forces 24 occur on the walls 3 and/or walls 6, the internal pressure can increase however this merely pushes out the concave region 10. If the burst seam 4 was not already deformed or hinged, then the burst seam 4 would already be in or near the bursting state 26.

However as the outer regions 12 have the ability to move outwards, and take up some of the internal pressure by the outwards movement of the hinge or concave region 10, the package 1 can resist bursting to a certain degree, before the burst seam 4 reaches its burst state 26 (i.e. non-deformed or tensioned state).

When the concave region 10 is pushed inwards, from the outer regions 12 towards the midpoint, the midpoint may be pushed upwards, which pushes the inner content and inert gas upward therefore decreasing the volume at the bottom of the containment region 13 and increasing the volume at the top of the containment region 13. The 'give' allows the package 1 to resist some external forces 24 so as to not prematurely rupture the bursting region. The hinge or concave region 10 may also be referred to as a flex point.

In one embodiment, the package 1 is incorporated as part of a pack 100 and is preferably fully enveloped within an outer bladder 30 as shown in Figures 7A & 7B and 10A - IOC. This configuration allows solid content in the package to expel from the package upon its bursting and mix with the content of the outer bladder which was, prior to bursting, contained in the outer bladder yet separated from the content of the package.

In the configuration of Figures 7A & 7B and 10A - IOC, the user 20 can still apply bursting forces 25 to the package 1 via the outer bladder walls 31.

The outer regions 12 can contact the insides of outer bladder walls 31. So can the upper regions of the package but given the lower regions of the package are presented wider to the walls 31 of the bladder, contact by undesired forces on the walls of the bladder are more likely to apply forces to the package that may cause the burst seam to move to its less-bursting condition. I.e. at the lower regions and/or the outer regions 12.

The top seam 5 of the package 1, may be fused with the top seam 32 of an outer bladder 30 to locate the package 1 within the outer bladder 30 to help hold the outer regions and the burst seam in the preferred condition relative the outer bladder walls. Such connection is preferably by way of a mutual heat seal of the walls 3 of the package and outer bladder 30. However alternatively the package 1 and outer bladder 30 may be bonded to each other at other parts. In alternative embodiments, the package 1 may float within the outer bladder 30.

An application of force to the bladder at where the solid content of the package is provided may reduce the propensity of the package to increase in internal pressure given that the solid is not compressible and where it's a powder or granular form it is not readily transported to allow for the lower region of the package to sufficiently deform to cause substantial pressurisation of the package. In addition, where deformation does occur, the concave shaped burst seam is moved to a condition to be less prone to bursting.

Preferably the lateral walls 6 of the package are kept sufficiently distal the edge seams of the bladder so that if forces are applied to bring the edge seams of the bladder together, the bladder does not contact the lateral walls as shown in Figure 11.

The package 1 combined with the outer bladder 30 define two compartments or containment regions, for storing, in a separated manner, contents such as ingredients that upon rupturing of the package, allows the ingredients to mix together within the package 1 and/or outer bladder 30, prior to being dispensed from the pack 100. The package 1, as described previously, is configured and positioned to facilitate this rupturing when desired yet resist its rupturing due to undesired forces. In one embodiment, the outer bladder 30 may be formed of two films heat sealed, at seams 37 - as seen in Figure 11, to each other to form walls 31 of a bladder. Figure 11 also shows an embodiment on the package 1, that is formed of two films, with seams 14.

In the embodiment where a tetrahedral package 1 is used with the outer bladder, the top seams 5 and 32 are aligned collinearly, the outer regions 12 extend towards the walls 31 of the outer bladder.

The package 1 is preferably adapted and configured to not be openable to the outside of the outer bladder containment region 34. Upon a rupturing of the package's 1 containment region 13 to form an opening 15, the package 1 can preferably only transfer the package 1 contents into the outer containment region 34. In the preferred form the containment region 34 is openable via an outlet 38 (shown in Figure 11) to allow for the content of either the outer bladder 30, or the contents of both the mixed package 1 and the outer bladder 30 to be expelled there-through.

The inside surface of the outer package walls 31 can contact the outer regions 12, and, in one embodiment, it is this contact that keeps the outer regions 12 pushed towards each other to form and/or maintain the concave shaped region 10 when undue forces are applied to the bladder and the package.

The use of the outer bladder 30 helps directs the undue forces 24 onto the outer regions 12. If package 1 is used within outer bladder, it is likely that the undue forces 24 may be on the planar walls 31 of the outer bladder 30. As such the first point of contact should the walls 31 be pushed towards each other, may be onto the outer regions 12. Specific and directed force 25 onto the walls 3 of the package 1, such as at the upper regions of the package where the fluid is retained, allows the package to be more readily pressurised. This then allows a user 20 to burst the package 1 as shown in Figures 10A to IOC. The bursting of the package 1 may expel at least some of the contents 21 to mix with the contents of the outer bladder 30.

Preferably the outer bladder outer containment region 34 may contain content also. For example the package 1 may be full of milk powder and a gas, whilst the outer containment region 34 may contain water. The bursting of the package 1, may expel the inner content milk powder into the outer content water to make a liquid milk. The outer bladder 30 preferably has compliance and space (ullage or evacuated ullage). This compliance and space is needed to receive the gas from the package 1. Alternatively the outer bladder 30 is flexible to be able to receive the additional volume.

Removing all air/gas from the ullage the outer bladder causes atmospheric pressure acting on the outside walls outer bladder to collapse the outer bladder so that the fluid contained within the outer bladder is forced to occupy all available space within the outer bag.

In addition to this facilitating activation of the package by allowing the package to be squeezed without encountering hydrostatic resistance provides the advantage of providing shock resistance.

With the package standing up at rest, gravitational pull on the fluid, such as water, within the outer bladder creates a bag shape where outward force of the contained water equals external atmospheric pressure.

The outer bladder is designed so that the distance between its lower side walls at equilibrium approximately equals the diameter of the package so the outer regions 12 are touching the inside of the outer bladder.

In this situation any outward force acting on the inside of the wall of the outer bladder may cause an equal and opposite reaction to resist this movement. This causes the outer walls of the outer bladder to resist opening movement of the concave region 10, to thereby assist in prevention of accidental bursting.

With the outer bladder and contained package lying down, atmospheric pressure and gravity cause the outer bladder to take on a flat book like shape with a bulge where the outer regions 12 lie. Atmospheric pressure on the package tries to flatten it to the same thickness as the water filled area within the outer bladder which further restrains the concave region 10 from straightening, or going to less concave.

When an outer bladder and contained package are packed/stacked tightly within a carton or similar, there is little waste space and reduced chance accidental bursting.

Upon applying of a bursting pressure, by for example the fingers of a user 20 on the package 1 (or indirectly via the outer bladder 30), the inner pressure of the package 1 increases so the burst region 2, of the package 1 may rupture. The expulsion of the inner contents 21 is preferably rapid. In one embodiment the bursting disperses a gas and gas bubble and/or the inner contents 21 from the inner containment region 13, that parts the outer contents of the outer containment region 34. The package 1 is preferably of a shape that can facilitate the rapid expulsion. I.e. there are no significant hindrances of flow, or there is a slight restriction to increase velocity of the contents 21 as they are expelled. The parting of the contents, rapid expulsion, and/or gas bubble egress assists in the mixing of the package 1 contents 21 with the outer bladder contents.

In some embodiments, to help encourage this spreading of the opposed side wall panels of the outer bladder 30, as well as to keep the burst seam 4 in the concave non- bursting condition, it is preferred that the pressure in the package 1 is greater than in the outer bladder 30 pre-bursting. This helps to keep the package 1 inflated and helps spread the opposed side wall panels 31 of the outer bladder 30 by the package 1.

Keeping the opposed side walls spread means that the outer regions 12 are more often in contact with the walls 31 which is preferred as described previously. Alternatively, or in combination with the gas, the contents 21 of the package 1 aid in keeping the outer regions 12 spread apart to be in contact with the walls 31.

In addition such side wall panels 31 interaction with the burst region 2 when the package 1 is ruptured, aids in biasing the package's 1 ruptured opening 15 in a diamond shape, I.e. it prevents the package walls 6 from going back to sit or move towards against each other. Instead the walls 31 act against the outer regions 12 of the opening 15 to force the opening open in a pantograph like fashion. This is shown in figure 12, which shows a cross section AA (shown in Figure IOC) through the length of the pack 100, from the base looking up to the top seam 5, highlighting the opening 15, and its contact with inner surface of the bladder 30 walls 31.

Even though it is described that it is good that the outer regions 12 are spread out further than the walls 3, it is desirable that the concave region remains concave during handling etc. when not desired by the user 20 to be burst. The concave region 10 may mean that the seam 4 may act as a hinge, so when the outer regions 12 are pushed towards each other, the apex of concave region 10 is for example pushed towards the top seam 5, away from the bursting configuration.

In the preferred form the outer bladder 30 is constructed in a manner to provide a self-standing base 36. In the preferred form of the self-standing base 36 is of a gusset form as is known in the packaging industry. Alternatively the base 36 is not of a gusset form and instead may merely be defined by a direct side wall to side wall seal across the base 36, or another type of common seal.

Preferably the package 1 is constructed from a (foil based) laminated film which contains a robust (thick) (laminated) PE food grade (inner) layer or appropriate layer of film for its application and a thin PE and or peel seal type film (on the inner layer) or other appropriate type films for its application and substances that it may hold. That is, the walls are formed of one or more, and preferably of two, layers of film.

For food products requiring UV protection, as in milk powders and the like, the package 1 may be composed of an inner food grade peel seal layer, a sandwiched UV blocking layer and an outer impermeable tough food grade protection layer. In one embodiment the package is made from purpose produced multi-layer food grade flexible plastic film approximately 60 micron thick with a peel seal layer on one side.

The walls of the package 1 may be formed of multiple pieces of film, instead of a single tubular piece of film. It is likely that the preferred embodiment will be a single piece of film, that is folded on itself with a heat sealed side seam sealing the edges of the single piece of film together. The seal may be along the plane of wall 3 or wall 6, or intermediate wall 3 and wall 6.

Alternatively, the package 1 is preferably constructed by two sheets of flexible film material bonded to each other appropriately to define a package containment region 13. A seal 14 between wall 3 and wall 6 is shown in Figure 11. The outer bladder 30 may also be of one sheet appropriately formed to define its two wall panels.

In the embodiment of multiple, or heat folded film walls 3, the package 1 is preferably perimeter sealed, such as by way of heat sealing or ultrasonic welding to define the package 1 containment region 13. The package 1 containment region 13 is preferably sealed until the package 1 is caused to be opened. The content 21 in the package 1 containment region 13, upon the opening of the package 1, may allow for a mixing of the inner content with the outer content in the outer bladder 30 containment region 34.

The contents 21 in the containment region 13 may for example be a fluid, liquid or solid and may be a mixture of such. In the preferred form the content is of a powdered or granulated form, for example milk powder. The content in the outer bladder 30 is preferably a liquid, solid or gas and may be a combination of such, and preferably is liquid. For example water to be mixed with milk powder to form milk. Other examples can be the mixing of chemicals, such as a two part glue or paint, pharmaceuticals, medicines, food stuffs (milk and cereal) etc. The contents 21 can also be gels, liquids or gas only.

Preferably there is enough volume of gas within the package 1, plus the required quantity of stored product (i.e. water) within the outer bladder 30 (when present) along with sufficient ullage; that when evacuated may allow external forces 25 (i.e. from the hands of a user) to squeeze flat the gas filled section of the package 1 without hydrostatic resistance from within an outer bladder 30. Preferably the outer bladder 30 comprises a base width which may enable its side walls 31 to restrain the tips 12 of seam 4 of the package 1 between them.

In an alternative embodiment the package 1 comprises or is comprised of two compartments/ regions. A contents containment region 13A, and a gas containment region 13B. The regions compartmentalising, in use, pressurised gas 21B and the contents 21. The two regions being divided by an inner layer of plastic film, defining an inner pouch to in part define the containment regions 13A/B. The package 1 may still be restrained and/or contained within an outer bladder, as of the type already described. Separation of the contents 21 from the gas 21B used for expulsion has particular advantages.

The package 1 may be utilised in situations where

expellant gas 21B has an unwanted effect on any contents 21 contained within the contents containment region 13A, or outer bladder when present, or the mixture produced from such.

consistency or state of the contents 21 inhibits full expulsion by gas 21B. expulsion of gas from the package 1 to the outer bladder containment region is not required to facilitate agitation and mixing of the contents 21 with the outer contents within the outer bladder containment region, when an outer bladder is present.

- the package 1 is to be used in zero gravity, upside down or any other orientation where the other embodiments herein described in particular orientations would not fully or sufficiently eject the contents 21 from the contents containment region 13A.

- economic savings over the type of gas used to expel the contents 21 is required. I.e. as the gas 21B does not touch the contents 21 then any appropriate gas/liquid 21B can be used, for example air can be used instead food grade nitrogen.

The opening of the content containment region 13A is of the same configuration and general characteristics as the burst region 2 previously described, and utilises the same method of opening. Where the opening utilises the same configuration of burst seam 4 and concave region 10 to create an opening 15 once burst.

Figure 13A shows a tube 40 being formed, in this embodiment the tube 40 having a side seam 14, but in other embodiments the tube may have no side seam. The end 43 of the tube 40 is sealed to form a hard seam 41. The seam 41 is pushed inward into the tube 40, i.e. folded or inverted in on itself. This inverted end 43 and hard seam 41 forms the walls of the inner pouch to define the containment region 13A. The hard seam 41 is formed in a similar fashion to the top seam 5, and has the same

characteristics of resisting bursting prior to the burst seam bursting. The tube 40 is optionally slightly tapered for up to 1/3 of its length to form a narrower end towards the hard seam 41. This allows easy inversion of the hard seam 41 within a portion of the tube that is not the end 43.

Figure 13D arrow shows the adding of contents 21 into the cavity or contents containment region 13A formed by the inverted end of the sealed tube 40, and figure 13E shows the contents 21 within the containment region 13A. Figure 13F shows a burst seam 4 formed across the top of the inverted end 43 to therefore create the sealed inner pouch, that defines the contents containment region 13A.

Figure 13G and figure 13H show a gas containment region 13B being inflated/pressurised with an appropriate gas/liquid 21B, and a top seam 5 subsequently formed. Although described as the "top" seam, the seam can be located in any orientation during manufacture or use.

It is during the inflation of gas containment region 13B that the concave shape of the burst seam 4 is formed by manipulation and/or inherently due to the inflation, and/or by contact of the outer regions 12 with an outer package or similar, and/or assistance from an external force pushing in the burst seam 4 between the outer regions 12 towards the top seam 5. Preferably the inflation pressure is as previously described. Figure 15C and 15D show the inner pouch and contents 21 being fully expelled, this is an optional extra step in in the bursting process.

Figure 14 highlights the side seam 14 acting on at or towards the middle of the burst seam 4. Having the side seam 14 coincide with middle of the burst seam 4 aids in the initiation of the burst at the burst initiation region 2 because the thickened or strengthened side seam 14 is less prone to stretching compared to the other areas of the package 1.

This resistance to stretch at the initiation area at or towards the middle of the burst region 2 may also be utilised in the previous embodiment described with a single containment region 13 as shown in figure 1. There may be other embodiments of creating this resistance to stretch to aid in the initiation of burst at the burst region 2. Such embodiments may include thickened regions, regions of engineered strength, or resistance to stretch that coincide with the preferred location of the burst region 2. Tape, string, inflexible plastic, or other means may be also be utilised for this purpose. These features may be integral with the film forming the package 1, or these features may be internal and/or external to the walls of the package 1. All these features aid in reducing stretch and therefore increase pull on the middle of the burst seam 4 during activation.

In one embodiment there is a relatively inflexible plastic strip attached to walls and shaped to extend between the burst seam 4 and at least towards where bursting forces 25 are located so as to aid pulling open the burst seam 4. Preferably these strips extend to the top seam 5.

Figure 13A-H shows the process of creating the alternative package 1. Figures 15A-D show the package 1 being activated, burst, through to its shape after completed activation, where the opening 15 is open. In this alternative package 1, the package 1 comprises a containment region 13A separated from a gas containment region 13B.

The package 1 as shown in Figure 14 is ruptured in much the same manner as package 1 previously described, however the gas or fluid 21B located in the gas containment region 13B is not mixed with the contents 21. Instead, the activation force 25 increases the internal pressure in the gas containment region 13B, thus increasing the pressure on the burst seam 4 to initiate opening. Figure 15A and figure 15B show important steps to bursting, whilst Figures 15C-D show addition steps of the inner pouch (that defines the containment region 13A) being expelled out from its inverted position, these final steps may not always occur.

When a user 20 applies pressure 25 to a package 1, as shown in Figure 15A (Fig 5C, 10B, 15A) the pressure of contents 21B (and likewise of the mixed contents 21 in the previously described aspect) within the gas containment region 13B (and region 13 in the previously described aspect) increases. Some of this pressure is stored in the elastic sides/walls of the film forming the containment regions 13B (and region 13 in the previously described aspect) this stored pressure assists expulsion of the contents 21 (i.e. powder) when the burst seam 4 opens. The rest of this pressure acts upon the containment region 13A forcing the contents 21_like a piston to exert force onto the burst seam 4. Due to the force on the burst seam 4, the concave region 10 may straighten and the burst seam 4 bursts open.

The inner pouch that defines the containment region 13A could also be described as a package 1 also.

The present invention may provide an effective solution in countries where there is a lack of storage facilities, refrigeration devices and clean drinking water.

The package may be supplied filled or unfilled for subsequent filling. By filled it is to be understood that the bladder may or may not be at full capacity.

A product utilising the present invention will now be described as an example. A package which contains approximately 36g of solid (such as milk powder). The package is contained within an outer bladder, where the outer bladder comprises approximately 200ml of water. The product is a suitable size for producing a single serve of 210 ml of freshly reconstituted full cream milk and/or a single serve of freshly mixed infant formula suitable for an infant 1 to 3 years old, and/or many other powder/liquid products requiring similar quantities of ingredients.

The outer bladder is a standard 250ml stand up food grade plastic pouch approximately 130 mm x 200 mm with an angled corner(s) and a screw cap dispenser spout.

To produce the package 1, a strip of film approximately 120mm wide and 170mm long is formed into a 170mm long tube approximately 35 mm in diameter by heat sealing the long sides together with a hard seal seam 14 approximately 5 mm wide. The burst seam 4 of this tube is sealed so it may burst apart when a pull apart force of approximately 4 newton per 10 mm is exerted upon the seam by the plastic film(s) walls 6 adjacent to, and attached to and forming, the burst seam.

The straight, square across, burst seam 4 of this package is formed by sealing the ends of the tube 40 between two 5 mm wide TEFLON covered steel jaws both heated to a set temperature of 91 degrees for 2.25 seconds at a pressure of 150 psi.

Approximately 36 grams of milk powder is placed into this tube 40 above the burst seam 4, this powder occupies about 60 mm of the length, 40% of this tube volume. The empty tube 40 above the powder is flushed and inflated with food grade nitrogen to approximately 4 psi then the top seam 5 hard sealed orthogonal to the burst seam 4. Hard sealing implies that the seal is not configured to burst, at least not before a burst seam.

The inflation pressure required within a package 1 is that which is sufficient to cause the containment region 13 of the package 1 to form an almost cylindrical shape, with near to parallel sides at the burst seam, and to maintain the concave region 10 when the package is at rest.

The resulting approximately 40 mm wide tube shape between the outer regions 12 creating a burst region 2 with a V shape (i.e. a concave region 10) . The concave region 10 has a sufficient angle to accommodate the 55 mm burst seam 4 within the shorter 40mm space it now spans. The shape of the bottom of the package 1 changes from an almost circular shape to, when there is no concave region 10, to a flat diamond shape when there is a concave region 10.

When this concave region 10 is formed, the centre region of the burst seam 2 moves approximately 10 mm back into the contents 21.

The concave region 10 and associated flat bottom causes the sides 6 of the package adjacent to the centre of the burst seam 4 to become flaccid. The sides 6 remain flaccid when forces 24 and/or forces 25 are applied to the outer surface 3 of the package as long as the concave region 10 between the outer regions 12 is maintained.

Bursting can only occur when the sides 6 of the package 1 at the centre of the burst seam 4 become sufficiently turgid to produce the required 4 Newton per 10 mm separation force required to open the burst seam 4. This happens when the centre of the burst seam 4 is forced downwards and straight. As pressure increases inside the package 1, the sides 3 become more tense exerting increasing pull on the outer regions 12 assisting the straightening of burst seam 4 in preparation to its bursting. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.