Description:A MOLDED FLEXIBLE STAND-UP POUCH

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a pouch for packaging content. The present invention, in particular, relates to a molded flexible stand-up pouch.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Use of flexible pouches are prevalent in packaging industries. Usually, pouches are used for packing consumer liquid products like water, juices, milk, edible or non-edible oils, liquid detergent, honey, ketchup, sauce, mayonnaise, shampoo, conditioner, hand wash, and other personal care products, home care products, hygiene care products, dairy products, and free flowing powders.
[0003] Traditionally, flexible pouch is made by laminating different polymeric films with adhesives to form a multilayered flexible laminate that is thermally sealed, in subsequent steps, by pouch forming machine to make desired shape. Neck or spout is introduced as a separate component in the formed pouches in subsequent steps. Thus, a traditional pouch forming process includes many steps such as lamination, slitting, pouching, and spouting etc. However, the pouches currently available in the market are flexible. Flexible pouches have inbuilt advantage during transportation, as the manufactured pouches in deflated state (when air or content is not filled in the pouch) can be folded multiple times. Folded flexible pouches takes less space during transportation to filling assembly line. However, these involve multiple steps in making the final pouch.
[0004] An available art discloses a stand-up pouch with bottom gusset and a spout made from multilayered laminate. The pouch is formed by heat sealing process as the pouches are made in a conventional way and the spout is sealed separately to the corner of body. However, the usage of laminate from different type of materials makes it difficult to recycle.
[0005] An available art discloses process of manufacturing of plastic bottles using conventional Extrusion blow molding (EBM) technique. It states manufacturing plastic bottles with single or multilayered plastic parison using polyolefins like HDPE, LDPE with varying wall thickness but without affecting the rigidity or the technical function of the product. However, the bottles are not flexible as pouches. Thus, bottles need more space during transportation to the filling assembly line.
[0006] An available art describes the PET bottle that is collapsible in the direction of longitudinal axis or height of the bottle. The collapsible feature of the bottle is achieved by creating bellow shaped profile on the walls of the bottle to enable collapsing of the wall in the longitudinal axis of the bottle. In addition, it explains, such feature is made on stretch blow process where prior stage is a preform. Hence, multiple steps in manufacturing and constrained design flexibility due to bellow profile.
[0007] Yet another available art discloses a collapsible bottle with spiral grooves, finger grips and rotational direction indicators that facilitate or suggest the user to twist the bottle to its collapsed position. However, the collapsing is considered as part of discarding phase or after use to reduce the volume of the bottle so that it occupies less space in the trash can.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a molded flexible stand-up pouch that can be stand-up on the base and has design flexibility, pliability that give advantage of consuming less space while transportation to the filling assembly line, simplified process with easy recycling solution.
SUMMARY
[0009] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a molded flexible stand-up pouch. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] The present subject matter relates to a molded flexible stand-up pouch for packaging. The flexible stand-up pouch comprises a flexible first part and a flexible second part. The flexible first part and the flexible second part are integrally formed together creating a front edge and a rear edge. The flexible first part and the flexible second part are adapted to maintain an inflated state and a deflated state. The flexible first part and the flexible second part comprises a bottom portion, a central portion and a top portion. The bottom portion is adapted to act as a base in inflated state. The central portion is integrally extending from the bottom portion. The top portion is integrally extending from the central portion. The molded flexible stand-up pouch has a neck integrally extending from the top portion either in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pouch or in an angular fashion with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pouch, to facilitate filling and dispensing of content to and from the molded flexible stand-up pouch. The neck of the pouch has threaded profile to receive the cap. In addition, the pouch discussed in the present subject, has sets of horizontal and vertical ribs on the first part and second part of the pouch, they serve multiple purpose like providing support to the pouch as well as adding aesthetic element to the pouch. However, these ribs are optional and can be of any number, with variation in shape, variation in dimension depending on the size and configuration of the pouch. In addition, the product can be used as a straw less sipper, where the user can sip from the neck of the pouch and due to pressure difference the pouch collapses, making way for the contents to move to the mouth of the user.
[0011] In an aspect, a gusset forms an integral part of the bottom portion of the pouch and facilitates in forming the base of the pouch thereby making the pouch stand-up.
[0012] In an aspect, a tamper evident ring is provided in the neck of the pouch adapted to allow the tamper evident band of the cap to pass through it and get locked below the ring to facilitate tamper evident feature.
[0013] In an aspect, a neck supporting ring is provided in the neck of the pouch to facilitate handling of the pouch during filling and dispensing of the content from the pouch.
[0014] In an aspect, the molded flexible stand-up pouch is made up of one or more compatible polymers, its copolymer, blends or composites, further wherein the one or more compatible polymers comprises High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), one of a Linear LDPE (LLDPE), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC, and Polylactic acid (PLA), and Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT).
[0015] In an aspect, labelling is provided on the pouch in the form of in-mold labels or offline labelling as a post-molding process using similar materials as that of the pouch to enable recycling.
[0016] In an aspect, wherein surface printing operation could be performed on the pouch in both inflated or deflated state.
[0017] In an aspect, the molded flexible stand-up pouch is either transparent or translucent or opaque.
[0018] In an aspect, the molded flexible stand-up pouch is manufactured by either with or without inserts in the following processes like extrusion blow molding process, or injection molding process, or injection blow molding process, or injection stretch blow molding process or rotation molding process.
[0019] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0020] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0021] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0022] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d illustrates a side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view of exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0023] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrates a side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view of exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0024] FIG. 3a illustrates a diagram depicting an angular neck of the top portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0025] FIG. 3b illustrates a diagram depicting a vertical neck of the top portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch in deflated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0029] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0030] “Inflated State” may be defined, in context of the disclosure, as state of the molded flexible stand-up pouch in which the pouch is filled with air or any other content such that the volume occupied by the pouch is at maximum.
[0031] “Deflated State” may be defined, in context of the disclosure, as state of the molded flexible stand-up pouch in which the pouch is not filled with air or any other content such that the volume occupied by the pouch is at minimum.

EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS
[0032] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0033] FIG. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d illustrates a side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view of exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 comprises a flexible first part 101 and a flexible second part 102 (shown in FIG. 1b). The flexible first part 101 and the flexible second part 102 is integrally formed together creating a front edge 103 and a rear edge 104. The flexible first part 101 and the flexible second part 102 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 is adapted to maintain an inflated state and deflated state of the pouch 100. The molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 is capable of standing up in inflated state. In addition, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 is flexible enough to get squeezed or folded in multiple folds in deflated state.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 is manufactured by an extrusion blow molding process in a single step. Further, the molded flexible stand-up pouch could also be manufactured by either with or without inserts in the following processes like injection molding, injection blow molding, injection stretch blow molding and rotational molding. Furthermore, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 could also be manufactured in multiple steps.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 is a single layered pouch which helps in maintaining flexibility of the pouch 100 as well as give the pouch 100 ability to stand up in inflated state. However, molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 with multiple layers is still within the scope of the subject matter as flexibility and stand-up feature of the pouch could also be maintained by providing multiple layers.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 may be made of one or more compatible polymers, its copolymers, blends or composites. Examples of the one or more compatible polymers may include, but are not limited to, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), one of a Linear LDPE (LLDPE), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Polylactic acid (PLA), and Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT). Further, in the preferred embodiment, the one or more compatible polymer is recyclable. Furthermore, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 could be transparent or translucent or opaque depending on the polymer. Also, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 could be colored by adding pigments or dyes directly or in the form of masterbatch during the molding stage or by using compounded resin depending on the requirement and molding process.
[0037] The molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 may be of a weight ranging between 5 grams to 500 grams. The weight of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 depends on the content holding volume of the pouch 100.
[0038] The molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 may be of any size, configuration, shape, and dimensions. Further, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 may be labelled while molding in a form of “in-mold labels” or may be labelled in a post molding process by using a similar material as that of the pouch 100 to ease the recycling process. The pouch may be labelled using paper, flexible laminate, and films. Further, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 may be surface printed in both inflated or deflated state.
[0039] Continuing with the above embodiment, the flexible first part 101 and the flexible second part 102 are identical to each other together forming the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100. The flexible first part 101 and the flexible second part 102 comprises a bottom portion 100a, a central portion 100b and a top portion 100c. The gusset 106 in the bottom portion 100a is adapted to act as a base of the molded flexible stand-up pouch in inflated state.
[0040] In an aspect, to aid in the standability of the molded flexible stand-up pouch and to add aesthetic appeal, the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 has sets of ribs like central vertical ribs 107, horizontal rib 108 and base vertical ribs 105. However, they are optional features and can have a variation in count, variation in shape, variation in dimensions depending on the size and configuration of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100.
[0041] The top portion 100c integrally extends from the central portion 100b of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100. A neck 109 integrally extends from top portion 100c to facilitate filling and dispensing of content to and from the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100. In an aspect, the neck 109 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 integrally extends vertically from the top portion 100c. Thus, the neck 109 is integral part of the top portion 100c. However, the filling is not restricted to filling through the neck but can also be filled by cutting any part or piercing through the body of the molded flexible stand-up pouch and sealed thermally or by welding mechanism after filling, which depends on the filling line.
[0042] The neck 109 is adapted to accommodate a cap 110 to closing the opening of the neck 109 after usage. In an aspect, neck 109 of the top portion 100c is provided with threads 111 to receive the cap 110. A tamper evident ring 112 is provided in the neck 109 of the pouch 100 adapted to allow the tamper evident band 113 of the cap 110 to pass through it and get locked below the ring 112 to facilitate tamper evident feature. User must break the tamper connections between the tamper evident band 113 and the cap 110 to dispense the contents of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 for the first time. The pouch 100 can be reclosed using the cap 110 even after tampering.
[0043] In addition, a neck supporting ring 114 is provided in the neck 109 of the pouch 100 to facilitate handling of the pouch 100 during filling and dispensing of the content from the pouch 100.
[0044] FIG. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrates a side view, a front view, a rear view and a bottom view of exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. In another exemplary embodiment, the neck 209 integrally extends, at an angle, from the top portion 200c to facilitate filling and dispensing of content to and from the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200. Various other embodiments are possible without deviating from the scope of the subject matter just by changing the mold cavities during molding process. The mold cavities can be changed as per the requirement of the user. However, flexibility of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 as well as the ability to stand-up on the base in inflated state remains the same. All the other features of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 are identical to the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100. There may be variation in dimensions of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 when compared to the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100. Accordingly, dimensions of other features, such as, the first flexible part 201, the second flexible part 202, the neck 209, the tamper evident ring 212, the tamper evident band 213 of the cap 210, the threads 211, the plurality of base vertical ribs 205, the plurality of central vertical ribs 207, the horizontal vertical ribs 108, the gusset 206 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 may be different. However, the nature of functions performed by said components remains the same.
[0045] In an aspect, the whole molded flexible stand-up pouch 100, 200 is mono-material. This result in easy recycling.
[0046] FIG. 3a illustrates a diagram depicting an angular neck 209 of the top portion 200c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The neck 209 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 has threads 211 provided to facilitate locking of cap 210 over the neck 209. Just below the threads 211, tamper evident ring 212 is provided which allows the tamper evident band 213 of the cap 210 to pass through it and get locked below the ring 212 to facilitate tamper evident feature. The tamper evident function of the tamper evident ring 212 ensures the user know if the molded flexible stand-up pouch 200 has been tamper.
[0047] FIG. 3b illustrates a diagram depicting a vertical neck 109 of the top portion 100c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The neck 109 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 has threads 111 provided to facilitate locking of cap 110 over the neck 109. Just below the threads 111, tamper evident ring 112 is provided which allows the tamper evident band 113 of the cap 110 to pass through it and get locked below the ring 112 to facilitate tamper evident feature. The tamper evident function of the tamper evident ring 112 ensures the user know if the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 has been tamper. In addition, the neck supporting ring 114 is provided below the tamper evident ring 112.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 in deflated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the deflated state, the flexible first part 101 and the flexible second part 102 of the molded flexible stand-up pouch 100 are close to each other. This compresses the inner volume of the pouch 100 and give advantage of consuming less space during transportation.
ADVANTAGES
[0049] The proposed molded flexible stand-up pouch is capable of standing up on the base and has flexibility that give advantage of consuming less space while transportation. Further, the proposed molded flexible stand-up pouch is manufactured using single type of material (mono-material) throughout which makes the recycling of the pouch easier. The molded flexible stand-up pouch being mono material and made in a single step process, it also reduces overall process wastages during manufacturing. As the pliability of the pouch is due to the process and material used, the product has design flexibility and can be molded to any customized shapes, just by changing the mold cavities in the process. The proposed molded flexible stand-up pouch can be stored at lower temperature as well for cold supply chain.
[0050] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0051] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0052] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0053] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) for packaging, the molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) comprises:
a flexible first part (101, 201) and a flexible second part (102, 202) integrally formed together creating a front edge (103, 203) and a rear edge (104, 204), with the flexible first part (101, 201) and the flexible second part (102, 202) of the pouch (100, 200) adapted to maintain an inflated state and a deflated state, wherein the flexible first part (101, 102) and the flexible second part (102, 202) comprises:
a bottom portion (100a, 200a) adapted to act as a base in inflated state;
a central portion (100b, 200b) integrally extending from the bottom portion (100a); and
a top portion (100c, 200c) integrally extending from the central portion (100b, 200b), wherein the top portion (100c, 200c) has a neck (109, 209) integrally extending from the top portion (100c, 200c) to facilitate filling and dispensing of content to and from the molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200).
2. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck (109, 209) is provided with threads (111, 211) to receive a cap (110, 210).
3. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gusset (106, 206) is provided on the bottom surface of the bottom portion (100a).
4. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tamper evident ring (112, 212) is provided in the neck (109, 209) of the pouch (100, 200) adapted to hold the tamper evident band (113, 213) of the cap (110, 210) to facilitate tamper evident feature.
5. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a neck supporting ring (114) is provided in the neck (109) of the pouch (100) to facilitate handling of the pouch (100) during filling and dispensing of the content from the pouch (100).
6. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck (109) integrally extends vertically from the top portion (100c).
7. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck (209) integrally extends angularly from the top portion (200c).
8. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) is made up of one or more compatible polymers, its copolymers, blends or composites, further wherein the one or more compatible polymers comprises High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), one of a Linear LDPE (LLDPE), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polylactic acid (PLA), and Polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT).
9. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein labelling is provided on the pouch in the form of in-mold labels using similar materials as that of the pouch (100, 200) or can be labelled as a post-molding operation.
10. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein surface printing operation could be performed on the pouch (100, 200) in both inflated or deflated state.
11. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded flexible stand-up pouch is either transparent or translucent or opaque.
12. The molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded flexible stand-up pouch (100, 200) is manufactured either with or without inserts by the processes including extrusion blow molding process, or injection molding process, or injection blow molding process, or injection stretch blow molding process or rotation molding process.