CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/730,196, filed September 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[002] This disclosure relates to packaging, more specifically to packaging systems utilizing flexible packaging.

BACKGROUND

[003] As e-commerce continues to grow, it has become an expanding platform for the purchase of fresh foods by consumers. Last-mile delivery of fresh food (i.e., delivery from the local distribution point to the consumer’s location) is critical to a satisfactory buying experience. The convenience of home delivery translates into consumers often choosing multiple food items ranging from frozen, to ambient temperature, to hot items in one order, presenting challenges for packaging, temperature control, and prevention of cross contamination of products.

[004] In certain regions and countries, such as China, current practice involves using single-use plastic bags and ice bags packed inside an outer, reusable padded delivery bag. The delivery person uses the padded bag to transport the order, and upon reaching the consumer, removes the single-use bags and leaves them with the consumer. The padded bag is returned to the distribution point for reuse.

[005] This approach is not ideal. Based on recent online customer feedback, the biggest complaints or pain points include crushed or damaged fresh fruits such as strawberries, grapes, or bananas, and temperature control (e.g., keeping hot bakery products such as egg tarts and BBQ chicken hot) during the last-mile delivery. Improvement in e-commerce food packaging that better controls for safety and quality of fresh foods in a sustainable way is required.

[006] Such conventional methods and systems have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is still a need in the art for improved packaging systems utilizing flexible packaging. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

[007] A partition assembly for use in a flexible carrying bag to divide the bag into separate compartments can include at least one panel dimensioned to fit inside and divide the flexible bag into separate compartments. The at least one panel can have at least one slot to allow engagement with a similar panel to form separate compartments within the flexible bag.

[008] The at least one panel can include at least one smooth corner or edges to prevent puncture of the flexible bag by the panel when inserted. The panel can be formed from corrugated board or paperboard. In certain embodiments, a moisture resistant coating can be applied to the corrugated board or paperboard for heat and moisture insulation.

[009] The at least one slot can include at least two slots defined vertically in the at least one panel relative to a direction the at least one panel sits in the flexible bag. For example, the at least one slot can include only two slots (e.g., in each panel). In certain embodiments, the at least one slot can include only three slots (e.g., in each panel).

[0010] The at least one panel can include at least two panels assembled together using one or more of the at least one slot of each panel (e.g., the one or more slots interlocked together). In certain embodiments, the at least one panel can include a first face, a first bend, and a second face attached to the first face by the first bend. The at least one panel can include a second bend and a third face, the third face connected to the second face by the second bend.

[0011] The at least one panel can be configured to be disposed within the flexible bag to form at least one enclosed triangular shaped compartment that is enclosed on three sides by the at least one panel. The at least one panel can also be configured to be disposed within the flexible bag to form at least one open compartment bordered by the flexible bag. [0012] The assembly can further include the flexible bag. The at least one panel can be disposed within the flexible bag. The flexible bag can be a plastic bag (e.g., single use) or any other suitable flexible bag.

[0013] In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a delivery package can include a thermally-insulated outer bag, and any suitable partition assembly as disclosed herein, e.g., as described above. The partition assembly can be placed into the thermally-insulated outer bag. In certain embodiments, the at least one panel can have a height equal to that of an interior height of the thermally-insulated outer bag.

[0014] These and other features of the embodiments of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a partition assembly in accordance with this disclosure;

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 disposed in a flexible bag in a first arrangement;

[0018] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 disposed in a flexible bag in a second arrangement;

[0019] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 disposed in a flexible bag in yet a third arrangement;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a partition assembly in accordance with this disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a thermally-insulated bag in accordance with this disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a partition assembly in accordance with this disclosure;

[0023] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 7, shown disposed in a flexible bag;

[0024] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a partition assembly in accordance with this disclosure; and [0025] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 10, shown disposed in a flexible bag.

PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of an assembly in accordance with the disclosure is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in Figs. 2 10

[0027] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a partition assembly 100 for use in a flexible carrying bag 207 to divide the flexible bag 207 into separate compartments (e.g., compartments 209a, b, c, d as shown in Fig. 2) can include at least one panel 101 dimensioned to fit inside and divide the flexible bag 207 into separate compartments, e.g., 209a, b, c, d. The at least one panel 101 can have at least one slot 103 to allow engagement with a similar panel 101 to form separate compartments, e.g., 209a, b, c, d, within the flexible bag 207.

[0028] The at least one panel 101 can include at least one smooth corner 105 or edges to prevent puncture of the flexible bag 207 by the panel 101 when inserted. The panel 101 can be formed from corrugated board or paperboard, for example. Any other suitable material is contemplated herein. In certain embodiments, a moisture resistant coating can be applied to the corrugated board or paperboard (or other suitable panel material) for heat and moisture insulation, for example.

[0029] The at least one slot 103 can include at least two slots 103 defined vertically in the at least one panel 101 relative to a direction the at least one panel 101 sits in the flexible bag 207 (e.g., as shown in Figs. 1 and 2). For example, as shown in Figs. 1-4, the at least one slot can include only two slots (e.g., in each panel 101). In certain embodiments, the at least one slot 103 can include only three slots 103 (e.g., as shown in Figs. 7-10 in each panel 701). Any suitable number of slots 103 is contemplated herein.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 1-4, the at least one panel 101 can include at least two panels 101 assembled together using one or more of the at least one slot 103 of each panel 101 (e.g., the one or more slots 103 interlocked together).

[0031] Any number of panels 101 may be used as appropriate. As shown in Fig. 5, in certain embodiments, a partition assembly 500 can include a plurality of panels 50 la, 50 lb that can be assembled in a matrix. For example, panels 50la can have a different number of slots 103 (e.g., two as shown) than panels 50lb (e.g., three as shown). As shown, the assembly 500 can form one or more square enclosed compartments 509a and one or more U shaped open compartments 509b (e.g., which become enclosed after the assembly 500 is placed in a flexible bag 207). Any other suitable shaped compartments are contemplated herein.

[0032] In use, a distribution worker can place the partition assembly (e.g., assembly 100, 500, 700 described below, or any other suitable assembly) into the flexible bag 207, and then fills the formed compartments with various food items to complete the order, for example. The filled bag can then be placed into a thermally-insulated reusable outer delivery bag 600, e.g., as shown in Fig. 6, for transportation to the consumer.

[0033] Referring additionally to Fig. 7, in certain embodiments, the at least one panel 70la, 70lb can include a first panel 70la that can include a first face 711, a first bend 713, and a second face 715 attached to the first face 711 by the first bend 713. The first panel 70 la can include a second bend 719 and a third face 717, the third face 717 connected to the second face 715 by the second bend 719. The at least one panel 70 la, 70 lb can include a divider panel 70 lb that is configured to interact with panel 70la, e.g., as shown in Fig. 7. [0034] Referring additionally to Fig. 8, the at least one panel 70 la, 70 lb can be configured to be disposed within the flexible bag 207 to form at least one enclosed triangular shaped compartment 809a that is enclosed on three sides by the at least one panel 70la, 70lb. The at least one panel 70 la, 70 lb can also be configured to be disposed within the flexible bag 207 to form at least one open compartment 809b bordered by the flexible bag 207.

[0035] The assembly 100, 500, 700 can further include the flexible bag 207. The at least one panel (e.g., any of panels 101, 50 la, 50 lb, 70 la, 70 lb) can be disposed within the flexible bag 207. The flexible bag 207 can be a plastic bag (e.g., single use) or any other suitable flexible bag.

[0036] Embodiments with an additional stabilizing faces or panels, as shown in Figs. 7- 10 may be used to provide a stable package (e.g., as shown in Fig. 8 and 10) for carrying and delivering foods without collapsing the package, which can be important for product protection and effective thermal insulation when a mix of products (e.g., frozen, chilled, room temperature and hot) are delivered. Any other suitable panel designs that stabilize the shape of the compartmentalized bag may be used. For example, a partition assembly 900 can include two triangle-shaped inserts (e.g., two panels 70la) placed back to back together, e.g., as shown in Fig. 9 and 10 (e.g., which can be locked together with second panel 70 lb, as shown, for example).

[0037] In certain embodiments disclosed herein, a first slotted panel can intersect with a second slotted panel to form a matrix of some shape (e.g., as shown in Figs. 1-4, 5, and 7-10). The engaged panels can then be placed into a single-use plastic bag, e.g., as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, multiple slots can be provided in each panel to form different sizes or arrangements of the panel matrix. [0038] In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a delivery package can include a thermally-insulated outer bag 600, and any suitable partition assembly disclosed herein, e.g., as described above. The partition assembly can be placed into the thermally-insulated outer bag. In certain embodiments, the at least one panel (e.g., any of panels 101, 50la, 50lb, 70la,

70 lb) can have a height equal to that of an interior height of the thermally-insulated outer bag 600. In such embodiments, panels can be designed to be the same height as the outer delivery bag 600 so when inserted, the panels will form separate, sealed compartments for better temperature control, for example.

[0039] Embodiments improve on current e-commerce last-mile delivery of multiple fresh foods packed in plastic bags, for example. In so doing, embodiments provide an easy-to- use partition inside, e.g., a plastic bag to provide compartmentalized space for product protection and thermal insulation for improved food safety delivery of fresh products.

[0040] Embodiments can use partition panels with a multiple spacer modular design placed inside the plastic bag to separate the fresh food items and provide product protection and prevent cross-contamination. The partition panels can be formed from corrugated board, optionally with or without a moisture-resistant coating, for example. A thermal-insulating material or coating can also be applied. Solid paperboard and other materials may be used as alternative substrates, for example.

[0041] Those having ordinary skill in the art understand that any numerical values disclosed herein can be exact values or can be values within a range. Further, any terms of approximation (e.g.,“about”,“approximately”,“around”) used in this disclosure can mean the stated value within a range. For example, in certain embodiments, the range can be within (plus or minus) 20%, or within 10%, or within 5%, or within 2%, or within any other suitable percentage or number as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art (e.g., for known tolerance limits or error ranges).

[0042] The articles“a”,“an”, and“the” as used herein and in the appended claims are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example,“an element” means one element or more than one element.

[0043] The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean“either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e.,“one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the“and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to“A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as“comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0044] As used herein in the specification and in the claims,“or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,”or” or“and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as“only one of’ or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims,“consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term“or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.,“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as“either,”“one of,”“only one of,” or“exactly one of.”

[0045] Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

[0046] The embodiments of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for improvement in the art to which they pertain. While the subject disclosure includes reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.