Flexible package and method of making the same.

(54) Title: FLEXIBLE PACKAGE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF.

(54) Title: FLEXIBLE PACKAGE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

(57) Summary

A resealable, stackable, flexible container (12) for storing a quantity of products comprising a plurality of walls (16) defined by a first sheet (14) and a second sheet (24) attached to at least a portion of the first leaf (14). The second sheet (24) extends on at least three of the walls (16). The opposing container walls (16) each have a sealed portion and one or more folds, the folds comprising a portion of the first sheet folded into the interior volume. A portion of the second sheet (24) defines a resealable feature (623) located over an opening to reseal the container (12). The second sheet (24) includes a reduced resistance line (653) at or adjacent to at least one boundary adjacent to the folds and disposed between the opposite container walls (16) each having the sealed portion and an adjacent container wall (16). The second sheet (24) may include a hinge (28) on which the resealable feature (653) rotates from the closed position to the open position.

(57) Abstract

A flexible, stackable, recloseable container (12) for storing a quantity of producís comprising a plurality of walls (16) defined by a first sheet (14) and a second sheet (24) attached to at least a portion of the first sheet ( 14). The second sheet (24) extends over at least three of the walls (16). The opposing container walls (16) each have a sealed portion and one or more tucks, the tucks comprising a portion of the first sheet tucked toward the interior volume. A portion of the second sheet (24) defines a recloseable feature (623) located over an opening for reclosing the container (12). The second sheet (24) includes a line of reduced strength (653) at or adjacent at least a boundary adjacent the tucks and disposed between the opposing container walls (16) each having the sealed portion and an adjacent container wall (16). The second sheet (24) can include a hinge (28) about which the recloseable feature (653) pivots from closed position to open position.

PATENT TITLE No. 360503

<td>Headlines):</td><td>PRIMAPAK, LLC</td>

<td>Home: Denomination:</td><td>1707 N. Randall Road, Suite 151. Elgin, Illinois, 60123, USA FLEXIBLE PACKAGE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF.</td>

<td>Classification:</td><td>CIP: B65D75 / 58; B65D33 / 16 CPC: B65D75 / 58; B65D33 / 16</td>

<td>Inventor (s):</td><td>JAMES J. SANFILÍPPO; JOHN E. SANFILIPPO; JEANNE M. SKAGGS; FRANCISCO JAVIER SORIA; MILORAD RADENOVIC; BOHDAN WYSLOTSKY; PAUL GEORGELOS: PAT MONTEF'JSCO: ROY SPEER: ROMAN FOROWYCZ</td>

REQUEST

<td>Number: MX / a / 2015/005310</td><td>International Presentation Date; October 25, 2013</td>

<td colspan="3">PRIORITY</td>

<td>Country:</td><td>Date:</td><td>Number:</td>

<td>US</td><td>October 26, 2012</td><td> 61/719,340</td>

<td>US</td><td>December 19, 2012</td><td> 61/739,535</td>

<td>US</td><td>February 25, 2013</td><td> 61/769,168</td>

<td>US</td><td>March 15, 2013</td><td> 61/801,186</td>

<td>US</td><td>July 30, 2013</td><td> 61/860,233</td>

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: October 25, 2033

Issue Date: November 6, 2018

The reference patent is granted based on articles 1 '. 2nd section V. 6 “section III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent has a validity of twenty non-extendable years, cut from the date of filing of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the fee to maintain the rights in force. .

Whoever subscribes to this title does so based on the provisions of articles 6 'tractions III and 7 bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) 06/27/1991, amended on 02'08 / 1994, 10/25/1996. 12/26/1997, 05/17/1999. 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 01/06/2010 , 06/18/2010, 06/28/2010, 01/27/20'2, 04/09/2012. 06/01/2016 and 03/13/2018); Articles Τ ', 3' section V subsection a), 4 ° and 12 'sections I and lll of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/14/1999, amended on 07/01/2002, 07/15/19 2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/07/20C7); articles 1, 3 ', 4, 5' fraction V subsection a), 16 sections I and lll and 30 of the Organic Statute dc-l Mcxcano Institute of Industrial Property (DOF, 12/27/1999 amended on 10-/0 / 2002 . 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007): 1, 3 "and 5" clause a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy Directors General. Coordinator, Divisiorafes Directors, Holders of the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and Other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

The present document is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3rd of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TER of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Electronic Payment and Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in The procedures that are indicated.

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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Digital stamp:

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Arenal No. 550, Piso 1, Pueblo Santa Mana Tepepan, Xochírraco, 1: 5020, Mexico City, (55) 53340700 www.gob.rnxftmpi

MX / 2019/6677

FLEXIBLE PACKAGE AND FABRICAC METHOD

Cross Reference to Related Applications

Benefit under 35 USC § 119 (e) of US Patent Application Nos. 61 / 719,340 filed on October 26, 2012, 61 / 739,535 filed on December 19, 2012, 61 / 769,168 filed on February 25, 2013 , 61 / 801,186 filed on March 15, 2013 and 61 / 860,233 filed on July 30, 2013 by the present claimant and the descriptions of each are incorporated here for reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

This description generally refers to the packaging and, more particularly, a resealable lid that is secured to a container, and to the methods of manufacturing the packaging, and the flexible materials for forming the container.

Background of the Invention

Resealable or resealable packaging assemblies are commonly used to store food items, liquids, powders, baby wipes, chemicals, detergent, dry goods, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and other packaged products, for example. Typically, resealable packaging assemblies include a portion of the container and a flap portion that covers an opening in the container. One end of the flap portion is secured to the container adjacent to the opening such that a user can rotate or fold the flap portion over the open end, allowing the user to access a product contained in an interior volume defined by the walls. of the container. The bottom of the flap and / or surface of the container covered by the flap in a closed position can have an adhesive coating such that when the flap is in the closed position, the releasable flap adheres and sealably engages the container. However, dust, moisture, or other debris, such as dust stored in the container, may adhere to the adhesive coating, and the adhesive coating may subsequently lose capacity, or the sealability resistance will be substantially reduced, to sealably engage. to the container.

One solution to the problem of contamination of the adhesive coating is to secure an injection molded plastic lid assembly in the container such that the lid assembly is arranged around the opening. To access the interior volume of the container, a lid member is rotated upward on a hinge of the same lid mount material to an open position where the opening is exposed. To close the lid mount, the lid member is rotated downwardly on the hinge of the same material to sealably engage a lid mount base. While the injection molded plastic cap assembly is typically not affected by the dirt, moisture, or dust it collects in or near the sealing area, the plastic mo can be relatively expensive to produce and can add weight to the resealable packaging assembly. Furthermore, attaching the lid assembly to the container involves a relatively complicated production step that adds production time and costs.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a resealable packaging assembly that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, that minimizes production time, and that provides reliable sealing when exposed to contamination.

Brief Description of the Invention

A resealable packaging assembly includes a container (also referred to herein as a package) formed at least partially by a first sheet, and the container has a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume. The container has an opening through at least one of the plurality of walls. The resealable packaging assembly also includes a closure assembly secured to the container adjacent to the opening. The closure assembly at least partially comprises a second sheet and a portion of the first sheet. The closure assembly includes a lid member and a hinge portion. The lid member is rotatable on the hinge portion between a first position in which the lid member resealable engages a first portion of the container around the opening and an ir · * jr ir ........ .......- Cá

I ift / I Di ImiEMW G3 I VI I i I · * 'ftO A Λ' AAA fg _................. -ΛΟΙΙ second position in which the lid member opens near the hinge portion, thereby allowing the user to access the interior volume through the opening. A first coupling feature can be arranged in the container adjacent to the opening. A second coupling feature may be provided on the cover member of the closure assembly. The first coupling feature couples the second coupling feature to removably secure the lid member to the container when the lid member is in the first position. The first coupling feature can be integrally formed with the container. The first coupling feature can be formed as a flange and the second coupling feature can be formed as a channel adapted to receive the flange, for example.

A method of manufacturing a resealable packaging assembly comprising a container defining an interior volume is provided, and the method includes providing a first sheet and providing a second sheet secured to a first portion of the first sheet. The method further includes forming a cover member of a closure assembly of a portion of the second sheet such that at least a portion of the cover member is secured to the first portion of the first sheet. A hinge portion of the closure assembly is formed from the second leaf, and the hinge portion is arranged

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Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly with a lid member in a second, open position;

Figure 2 is a top view of the cover member of the resealable packaging assembly embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cover member taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the resealable packaging assembly embodiment of Figure 1 with the lid member in a closed, first position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the top wall of a container taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cover member taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a top view of a top wall of the container of the resealable packaging assembly embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is an isometric view of a portion of the limb go · »go go ................-«

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Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the cover member taken along line 9-9 of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of the first securing feature and the second securing feature of the resealable packaging assembly mode of Figure 1;

Figure 11A is a partial isometric view of the first securing feature of the resealable packaging assembly mode of Figure 1;

Figure 11B is a partial sectional view of the second securing feature of the resealable packaging assembly mode of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the top wall of a container along line 7-7 of Figure 5 including a third sheet secured to a first sheet;

Figure 13 is a partial isometric view of the first coupling feature of one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 14A to 14H are various views of a mold used to form the first and second features and the hinge portion on the container and the lid member;

Figures 1 5A to 15H are various views of a mold used to form the first and second characteristics of

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Figures 16A to 161 are various views of a mold used to form the first and second coupling features and the hinge portion on the container and the lid member;

Figures 17A to 171 are various views of a mold used to form the first and second coupling features and the hinge portion on the container and the lid member;

Figure 19A is a first isometric view of one embodiment of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

Figure 19B is a second isometric view of the embodiment of a packaging machine illustrated in Figure 19A;

Figure 19C is a third isometric view of the packaging machine embodiment illustrated in Figure 19A;

Figure 19D is a fourth isometric view of the embodiment of the packaging machine illustrated in Figure 19A;

Figure 19E is a front view of the embodiment of the packaging machine illustrated in Figure 19A;

Figure 19F is a side view of the embodiment of the packing machine illustrated in Figure 19A;

Figure 20A is a top view of a container closure assembly of one embodiment of a packaging assembly.

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Figure 20B is an isometric view of the closure assembly of the resealable packaging assembly of Figure 20A in a second position;

Figure 21 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 22 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 23 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 24 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 25 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the description;

Figure 27 is a top view of the container of Figure

26, illustrating the closure assembly of a container according to a described packaging assembly embodiment;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly of Figure 26, illustrating the lid in the open position;

Figure 29 is a schematic illustrating modalities of the first and second projections of a closure assembly according to modalities of the description;

Figures 30A-30C are schematic illustrations of

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Figure 30D is a schematic illustration of an opening panel region in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, illustrating the cuts made in the various layers to form the closure assembly;

Figure 31 is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the description, the container having a portion of the film that is transparent or translucent to provide a window through which the product dispensed in the container can be visualize;

Figure 32 is a schematic illustrating modalities of first and second projections of a closure assembly and extensions of the second sheet on two side walls in accordance with modalities of the description;

Figures 33A to 33D include various views of one embodiment of a packaging tube assembly of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

Figures 34A to 34E include various views of one embodiment of a forming tube of one embodiment of a forming tube assembly;

Figure 35 is a partial side view of one embodiment of a forming tube of one embodiment of a forming tube assembly;

Figure 36 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

Figure 37 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging machine forming station used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

Figures 39 to 45 illustrate various components of the embodiment of the forming station of Figure 38;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10;

Figure 47 is a first example of a graphic design for drawing and / or coloring on film;

Figure 48 is a second example of a graphic design for drawing and / or coloring on film;

Figure 49 is a graph of the secant modulus of various polymer films;

Figure 50 is a schematic illustration of a flexible material according to one embodiment of the description;

Figure 51 is a schematic illustration of a flexible material according to one embodiment of the desse

Figure 52A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging machine used to manufacture one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly 10; and

Figure 52B is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 52A.

Figures 53A to 53F are various views of a reject station;

Figures 54A to 54H and Figure 54J to 540 are various views of the removable cap member;

Figures 55A and 55B are various views of a container and a removable lid member;

Figures 56A to 56D are various views of a removable container and lid member;

Figure 57 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 58 is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 59A to 59E is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 60A-C is a packaging assembly according to one embodiment of the description;

Figures 60D-H is an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 61A to 61E are an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 62A to 62E are an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 63A to 63E are an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 64A to 64E are an example forming nozzle for one embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 65A-E are views of an exemplary forming nozzle for one embodiment of a resealable packaging assembly;

Figure 65F is a top view of a cap member of a resealable packaging assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 66 is a schematic illustration of a packaging machine for forming a resealable packaging assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figures 67A to 67E are a schematic illustration of a forming nozzle to form an embodiment of the resealable packaging assembly;

Figures 68A to 68F is a cross-sectional image of a cap member according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 69A is a schematic illustration of a resealable packaging assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 69B is a cross-sectional illustration of a closure assembly according to a

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Description, which illustrates a hollow groove in an inner wall of the channel for improved sealing when the lid is in the closed positions;

Figure 70 is a schematic illustration of a forming nozzle of a reusable packaging mounting embodiment;

Figures 71A to 71E are a schematic illustration of a forming nozzle to form a reusable packaging mounting embodiment;

Figure 72 illustrates a film scheme for forming a package according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 73A illustrates an embodiment of an illustrated second sheet in a configuration as provided in a package according to an embodiment of the description;

Figure 73B illustrates an embodiment of a package having a second sheet according to an embodiment of the description;

Figures 74A-74F are schematic illustrations of a thermal plate for heat sealing a fin to one side of the package;

Figures 75A to 75H and Figures 75J to 75L are a schematic illustration of a forming nozzle having an integrated cutting nozzle and external forming station in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure;

Figures 76A to 76F are various views of an illustration τ^-»Go τ% τ ..................-- ω

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Figure 75C is a schematic illustration of the race track type conveyor illustrated in Figures 76A and 76B;

Figure 77 is a diagram illustrating two-layer and three-layer film laminate configurations suitable for use in various embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 78 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a VFFS machine;

Figures 79A to 79F are various views of the embodiment of the VFFS machine of Figure 78;

Figures 80A to 80B are various views of one embodiment of an edge folding station;

Figure 81 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sealed container;

Figures 82A to 82B are various views of one embodiment of a fin seal station assembly;

Figures 83A to 83B are various views of one embodiment of a fin seal station assembly;

Figures 84A to 84D are various views of one embodiment of a forming flange;

Figures 85A to 85G are various views of one embodiment of an edge folding station;

Figures 86A to 86G are various views of one embodiment

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Figures 87A to 87G are various views of one embodiment of a fin seal station assembly;

Figures 88A to 88G are various views of one embodiment of a fin seal station assembly;

Figures 89A to 89G are various views of one embodiment of a fin seal station assembly;

Figure 90 is a schematic illustration of a film diagram for a container according to one embodiment of the description;

Figure 91 is a schematic illustration of a flexible container in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure showing the resealable flap on the top panel and in an open position;

Figure 92 is a schematic illustration of a flexible container according to one embodiment of the disclosure showing a resealable flap on the front panel and in an open position;

Figure 93 is a schematic illustration of a contoured package according to one embodiment of the description;

Figure 94 is a schematic illustration of a film diagram for the contoured package of Figure 93,

Figure 95 is a schematic illustration of a contoured package according to another embodiment of the description;

Figure 96 is a schematic illustration of a film diagram for the contoured package of Figur;

Figure 97 is a schematic illustration of a film diagram for a contoured package according to one embodiment of the description; and

Figure 98 is a schematic illustration of a film diagram for a contoured package according to another embodiment of the description.

Detailed description of the invention

Resealable packaging assembly

As illustrated in Figure 1, a resealable packaging assembly 10 includes a container 12 formed at least partially by a first sheet 14 (also called a first film), and the container 12 has a plurality of walls 16 cooperating to define an interior volume 18. Container 12 has an opening 20 through at least one of the plurality of walls 16. The resealable packaging assembly 10 also includes a closure assembly 22 secured to container 12 adjacent opening 20 (or an area in which opening 20 is defined). The closure assembly 22 comprises at least partially a second sheet 24 (also called a second film) and, optionally a portion of the first sheet 14 (see Figure 3). For example, a portion of the first sheet 14 may separate from the first sheet 14 and remain adhered to the second sheet to form an opening in the first sheet. In other modalities, a portion of the first

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Mexican INSTITILTO! Li&gt; ......... ΐκΐί'ΐο sheet 14 can be separated from the remaining sheet portion and discard rather than adhere to the second sheet 24 to form the opening. The terms container and package are used interchangeably here.

In one embodiment, the closure assembly 22 includes a lid member 26 and a hinge portion 28. The lid member 26 is rotatable on the hinge portion 28 between a first position 30 (illustrated in Figure 4) in which the lid member 26 releasably engages a first portion 32 of container 12 surrounding opening 20 and a second position 34 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 28) in which the lid member 26 is rotated away from the opening 20 on the hinge portion 28, such that it allows the user to access the interior volume 18 through the opening 20. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, a first coupling feature 36 may be provided in container 12 adjacent to opening 20. As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a second coupling feature 38 may be arranged in cover member 26 of closure assembly 22. The first coupling feature 36 couples the second coupling feature 38 to removably secure the cover member 26 to the container 12 when the cover member 26 in the first position 30. The first coupling feature 36 can be integrally formed with the container 12. As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the first coupling feature 36

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Coupling 38 may be formed as a channel 42 adapted to receive protrusion 40, for example.

Thus configured, in a single manufacturing step, the lid member 26, the first engaging feature 36, and the second fitting feature 38 can be formed on the film of the container 12, thus eliminating the need to attach a lid assembly manufactured separately that is secured to a container. Because features are formed in a single process step, and because separately manufactured cap assembly is not necessary, one with ordinary skill in the art might recognize that manufacturing costs and time are reduced. On the other hand, one who has ordinary experience in the art could recognize such characteristics allowed for the reliable resealing of the lid member 26 to the container 12 by a mechanical seal, which is not degraded by the presence of surface contaminants in the sealing area. .

Returning to container 12 of resealable packaging assembly 10 in more detail, container 12 includes the plurality of walls 16 cooperating to define the interior volume 18, as illustrated in Figure 1. The plurality of walls 16 may cooperate to form any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the plurality of walls 16 may include a top wall 16a, a first wall

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO lateral 16b, a second lateral wall 16c, ur lateral 16d, a fourth lateral wall 16e, and a bottom wall 16f. The top wall 16a can be flat or substantially flat and can extend in the horizontal direction (ie, parallel to the XY plane of the reference coordinate system provided in Figure 1) or a substantially horizontal direction. The bottom wall 16f can be flat or substantially flat and can extend in a horizontal direction or a substantially horizontal direction, and the bottom wall 16f can be vertically (i.e. in a direction parallel to or along the Z axis of the coordinate system of reference provided in Figure 1) inclined from the upper wall 16a. The first side wall 16b can extend vertically between the top wall 16a and the bottom wall 16f, and the first side wall 16b can be parallel or substantially parallel to the XZ plane of the reference coordinate system provided in Figure 1. A first portion of the first side wall 16b can extend vertically beyond the top wall 16a to form a portion of an upper ledge wall 44 that extends along and around the perimeter of the top wall 16a. A second portion of the first side wall 16b can extend vertically beyond the bottom wall 16f to form a portion of a bottom ledge wall 46 that extends along and around the perimeter of the bottom wall.

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Still referring to Figure 1, the second side wall 16c can extend vertically between the top wall 16a and the bottom wall 16f, and the first side wall 16b can tilt from the second side wall 16c along the Y axis of the Reference coordinates provided in Figure 1. A first portion of the second side wall 16c may extend vertically beyond the top wall 16a to form a portion of the top ledge wall 44. A second portion of the second side wall 16c may extend vertically beyond the bottom wall 16f. to form a portion of the lower boss wall 46. The third side wall 16d can extend vertically between the top wall 16a and the bottom wall 16f, and the third side wall 16d can be parallel or substantially parallel to the YZ plane of the reference coordinate system provided in Figure 1. A first portion of the third side wall 16d can extend vertically beyond the top wall 16a to form a portion of the top boss wall 44. A second portion of the third side wall 16d may extend vertically beyond the bottom wall 16f to form a portion of the bottom ledge wall 46. A first sealed edge 48 may extend vertically from the top ledge wall 44 to the bottom wall. bottom ledge 46. The third side wall 16d cannot be directly attached to the wall

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top wall 16a can be inserted through an opening between first side wall 16d and top wall 16a such that the portion of first sheet 14 is arranged against a portion of an internal surface of third side wall 16d (i.e., bend the portion of the upper wall 16a in the slot). Similarly, the third side wall 16d cannot be directly attached to the bottom wall 16b, and a portion of the first sheet 14 comprising the bottom wall 16b can be inserted through a slot between the third side wall 16d and the bottom wall 16b such that the portion of the first sheet 14 is disposed against a portion of the inner surface of the third side wall 16d (ie, folding the portion of the bottom wall 16b into the slot).

Referring again to Figure 1, the fourth side wall 16e can extend vertically between the top wall 16a and the bottom wall 16f, and the fourth side wall 16e can be parallel or substantially parallel to the YZ plane of the reference coordinate system provided in Figure 1. A first portion of the fourth side wall 16e may extend vertically beyond the top wall 16a to form a portion of the top ledge wall 44. A second portion of the fourth side wall 16e may extend vertically beyond the bottom wall 16f to form a portion of the bottom ledge wall 46. A second sealed edge 50 may extend vertically.

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top ledge 44 to bottom ledge wall 46. The fourth side wall 16e cannot be directly attached to the top wall 16a, and a portion of the first sheet 14 comprising the top wall 16a can be inserted through a slot between the fourth side wall 16e and the top wall 16a such that the portion The first sheet 14 is disposed against a portion of an internal surface of the fourth side wall 16e (ie, folding portion of the top wall 16a into the slot). Also, the fourth side wall 16e cannot be directly attached to the bottom wall 16b, and a portion of the first sheet 14 comprising the bottom wall 16b can be inserted through a slot between the fourth side wall 16e and the bottom wall 16b such that the portion of the first sheet 14 is arranged against a portion of the inner surface of the fourth side wall 16e (ie, folding the portion of the bottom wall 16b into the slot).

The plurality of walls 16 of container 12 can cooperate to form any suitable shape or combination of shapes that form a sealed or partially sealed enclosure. In other contemplated embodiments, for example, the plurality of walls 16 can form a substantially elongated tubular shape. Container 12 can include any container known in the art, such as quadruple sealed packaging, horizontal flow wrap packages (such as those manufactured by llapak, Hayssen-Sam

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Doboy), vertically filled seal pillow style bags (such as those manufactured by Hayssen, llapak, Bosch, or Triangle), horizontally filled seal packages include a formed bottom and cover material (such as those manufactured by Multivac or Tiromat), sturdy bags (such as those manufactured by KHS-Bartelt or Laudenberg) and tray sealing equipment such as those manufactured by Pack-line, Osgood or Modern.

An exemplary quadruple seal package and the folding methods of a quadruple seal package that can be used as a container for the packages in the description are described in

Publication of patent application for

USA No. 2012/0312868, the description of which is incorporated in its entirety. Such seal packages surround one or more panels of the package. By including an upper wall in which the opening is disposed and a corner disposed lower wall may extend from and surround one or both of the upper and lower walls.

they can extend from one or more of the side walls.

As illustrated in the

Figure one or more tabs 51 can be formed along one or more surfaces of the container

12. For example, a flange 51 may extend along the top wall 16a of the container 12 adjacent

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the third side wall 16d of the container. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 26, for example, a first flange 251a can extend along the top wall 216a of the adjacent container and aligned with the third side wall 216d, and a second flange 251b can extend along from the upper wall 216a of the adjacent container and aligned with the fourth side wall 216e. The one or more tabs 51 may be formed as an elongated protrusion extending upwardly from the top wall 16a of container 12, and the protrusion may provide rigidity to a desired area of ​​container 12. In addition, one or more tabs 51 may extend thereto. along all or part of one or more of the side walls 16b-d of container 12 and up from the container wall as described above with respect to the top wall. In various embodiments, the one or more flanges 51 can be formed on the wall containing the closure assembly 22 as well as on one or more of the walls adjacent to the panel having the closure assembly. The one or more tabs 51 can be formed in a thermoforming operation which will be described in more detail below.

The plurality of walls 16 of container 12 can be formed from a single sheet of material, (eg, first sheet 14), and the material can be flexible. However, container 12 can be made from any number of sheets of material. The first sheet 14 can include any suitable number of laminate layers necessary to achieve the proper composition and / or film properties. The first sheet 14 can have a composition and structure that are appropriate for the product to be stored within the container 12. The first sheet 14 can be formed from materials such as polypropylene (PP), vinyl ethylene alcohol (EVOH), polyethylene (PE), vinyl ethylene (EVA) copolymers, foil (such as, aluminum foil), paper, polyester (PET), polyamide or nylon (PA), and laminates and their mixed compounds. In other embodiments, the first sheet 14 can be formed from metallized polypropylene or metallized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or combinations of such materials. Still further, the first sheet 14 may include or be infused with a degradable and biodegradable component that can allow the container to degrade in a relatively short amount of time after the useful life of container 12, such as after container 12 is disposed of in a landfill or other disposal facility. If necessary or desired based on implementation, the first sheet 14 may include an outer layer of heat sealable polypropylene or other suitable heat sealing material so that the film bonding portions are sealed as container 12 is manufactured can be sealed and / or bonded to the surface

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As illustrated in Figure 1, container 12 includes opening 20 through at least one of the plurality of walls 16. Opening 20 may be provided through any suitable wall or walls of the plurality of walls

16. For example, opening 20 may be provided through top wall 16a (ie, an access panel or opening panel), as illustrated in Figure 1. As used herein, the term opening panel is used to describe any panel in which the opening is formed or defined. The opening 20 can be any suitable shape or combination of shapes to allow a user to access the interior volume 18 through the opening 20. For example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 7, opening 20 may have an elongated shape extending along a horizontal opening axis 52 that is parallel to the X axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1 . Opening axis 52 may extend from a first end 53 of opening 20 to a second end 54 that is opposite to first end 53 and opening axis 52 may at least partially extend along or adjacent to a top surface of the first sheet 14 comprising the upper wall 16a. Opening axis 52 can be equidistant from first side wall 16b and second side wall 16c when viewed along the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure

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one. The perimeter of opening 20 may be defii of opening 55 which may include one or more segments. For example, the opening edge 55 may include a first side edge 56a and a second side edge 56b, and each of the first side edge 56a and the second side edge 56b may be parallel to and equidistant from the opening axis 52. The first side edge 56a and the second side edge 56b can each be disposed at a first distance D1 from the opening axis 52. The opening edge 55 can also include a trailing edge 58 which can extend between a first end of the first side edge 56a and a first end of the second side edge 56b at the second end 54 of the opening 20. A curved front edge 60 can extend from a second end of the first side edge 56a and a second end of the second side edge 56b towards the first end 53 of the opening 20. The front edge 60 can be symmetrically formed near the axis of opening 60 and a The distance between the front edge 60 and the axis of opening 24 can increase from the first end 53 of opening 20 towards the second end of the first and second side edges 56a, 56b. Front edge 60 may be in the form of a portion of a circle, a portion of an oval, or a portion of a parabola, a square, or a rectangle, for example. Front edge 60 may also have a point or chevron (not shown) to create a starting point. The edge surface of the opening edge 55 may be smooth,

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE | Ιβ .........: 111811 (1/1: 0 wavy, scalloped, or have any other suitable. The opening 20 can have a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape.

The opening 20 can be formed in a cutting operation. For example, in one embodiment a cutting operation may include formation of cuts by the first and second side edges 56a, 56b and the front edge 60 of the first sheet 14, while all or a portion of the end edge 58 may remain integrally secured to the first sheet 14 to form a portion of the hinge portion 28. In said operation, a lower portion 62 of the first sheet 14 is formed such that the first and second edges 56a, 56b and the front edge 60 (when it was formed during the cutting operation) are provided internally and can be coupled in rotatably to container 12 over the portion of first sheet 14 at or adjacent to trailing edge 58. In alternative embodiments, opening 20 can be formed in a cutting operation that cuts along full opening edge 55. The cutting operation can be cut substantially along the full opening edge 55 and grooves or bridges can be provided along the opening edge 55 as desired.

In alternative embodiments, an opening 20 may be defined in container 12 (such as in container top wall 16a) by forming or defining lower portion 62 in a portion of upper wall 16a such that when it is at least partially removed from the remaining portion of the upper wall 16a the opening 20 is defined. That is, the lower portion 62 cannot be secured to the cover member 26. This may allow the resealable packaged assembly 10 to remain sealed, eg, hermetically sealed, until first use by users. Said embodiment can advantageously be used to provide an altered evident packaging assembly 10 in which the user would easily be able to determine if the package 10 was previously opened by observing if the lower portion 62 has been at least partially independent of the container 12. Any other known obvious tampering mechanisms can be provided in container 12 as is known in the art. Lower portion 62 can be configured to completely or partially separate the remaining portion of container 12. For example, lower portion 62 can be configured to partially separate from container 12 such that it remains at least partially attached to container 12. In other embodiments, the lower portion 62 can be fully detached from the access panel 14.

Referring to Figure 3, the lower portion 62 of the first sheet 14 can at least partially be secured to the second sheet 24 of the cover member 26. More specifically, all or a portion of a first surface 90 of the portion τ '" r η τ ................ ^ω

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO ......... BÍS! JJ »&lt;1 | O low 62 can secure all or a portion surface 92 of the second sheet 24 of cover member 26. Preferably, the first complete surface 90 of the lower portion 62 can be secured to a portion of second surface 92 of cover member 26. The lower portion 62 can be secured to the second sheet 24 of the cap member 26 in any way known in the art, such as by the use of an adhesive, heat seal, ultrasonic seal, etc. Suitable adhesives can be pressure sensitive acrylics, two part dry bonding, single component polyurethanes, and thermally activated, for example. Because the lower portion 62 can be formed in the cutting operation that forms the opening 20, the lower portion 62 can have dimensions that are equal to or substantially equal to the corresponding dimensions of the opening 20. Specifically, the lower portion 62 may have first and second side edges 94a, 94b that dimensionally correspond to the first and second edges 56a, 56b of the opening 20 and a front edge 96 that dimensionally corresponds to the front edge 60, as illustrated in the Figures 2, 3, 6 and figure 8. In the first position 30, a longitudinal axis of the lower portion 62 can be collinear with the opening axis 52, and the lower portion 62 can be symmetrically formed around the longitudinal axis.

The lower portion 62 can be defined in any suitable way. For example, the lower portion 62 (and, by extension) the

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MEXICAN INSTiTUTO | χβ ......... 1111811113110 opening 20) can be defined by a reduced path that allows the lower portion 62 to be at least partially separated along the reduced resistance path when a resistance is applied to pull the lower portion 62 away from the remaining portion of the container 12. The reduced resistance path defining the lower portion 62 in container 12 can be provided by any suitable method, including, for example, by laser titration, mechanical titration, or a similar process for forming the perforations in the first sheet 14 without puncturing the sheet, but allowing puncture if necessary or desired based on the requirements for the resealable packaging assembly 10 and / or the stored product. Alternatively, the blade titration with approximately 60% -100% penetration, for example, can be used to form a scoring line defining the lower portion 62 instead of individual perforations. In such modalities, it may be possible to maintain an airtight seal on the as there is not until the first blade 14. In others through the first blade of the blade to facilitate the

For example, a score of complete through the first intermittent interruptions or container to the first container opening, full penetration through the first sheet 14 lower portion 62 is separated from the modalities, full penetration 14 can be performed by separation assessment. from the lower portion 62. continuous blade with blade penetration 14 can be made with jumpers on the scoring line that | holding the lower portion 62 in place until the lower portion 62 is separated by the user. The distance between the bridges can vary from 200 microns to 2.0, and the length of the bridges can fall within the range of 50 microns to 2500 microns depending on the implementation.

Other suitable methods of scoring or drilling to define the opening edge include laser scoring / cutting, laser drilling, or micro-drilling methods, for example using nozzles or knives.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the first coupling feature 36 can be arranged in container 12 adjacent opening 20 and the first coupling feature can be integrally formed in or with container 12. The first coupling feature 36 can be adapted to couple the second coupling feature 38 provided on the cover member 26 of the closure assembly 22 such that the first coupling feature 36 couples the second coupling feature 38 to removably secure the member of lid 26 to container 12 when lid member 26 is in the first position 30 illustrated in Figure 4. The first coupling feature 36 can be any element or combination of elements that couple to their corresponding second coupling characteristic 38 to allow the member to

I Λ Λ I) I or ¿ή I IV! Γ I ο^Α.....,^{χ1 χ} H.H^TO ; ** f ||;: g ........^..... , ^ ΛΟί cap releasably coupled to the exemplary example, the first coupling feature 36 may be a projection 40 that can extend vertically upward from the top wall 16a and that can be integrally formed at or with the top wall 16a. The protrusion 40 can extend along a protrusion axis 64 that has a general U-shape (when viewed along the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1) and that extends around the opening 20, and the open end of the U-shaped protrusion shaft 64 may be at or adjacent to the second end 54 of opening 20. The protrusion axis 64 can be inclined externally a uniform distance from the first side edge 56a, the second side edge 56b and the front edge 60.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the projection 40 can be formed on the first sheet 14 and can have any suitable cross-sectional shape or combination of shapes (when viewed along the projection axis 64). For example, shoulder 40 may include a pair of internally tapered sides 66a, 66b an upper wall 68. The cross-sectional shape of shoulder 40 may be uniform or substantially uniform along axis of shoulder 64. However, the ends of the protrusion 40 comprise the U-shaped legs that are adjacent to the second end 54 of the opening 20 may be gradually tapered downward such that the top wall _T -W W- —W _T C * 3 I Λ Λ Ο I ®&gt; Α1&gt; 111 j ........

it is flush or substantially flush with an s of the first sheet 14 (ie, a top surface of the top wall 16a). Instead of a gradual conical shape, the ends of the projection 40 can be skewed or can be rounded. Alternatively, the ends of the projection 40 cannot be tapered, and the cross-sectional shape of the projection 40 can be uniform or substantially uniform along the entire axis of the projection 64.

As previously explained, the boss 40 can be adapted to couple a corresponding channel 42 (see Figure 3) formed in the lid member 26 of the closure assembly 22 when the lid member 26 in the first position 30 illustrated in the Figure 4, and channel 42 will be described in more detail later. Instead of a single boss 40, the first coupling feature 36 may include two or more boss segments (not shown) that are not continuous over the length of the boss axis. That is, the grooves can separate two or more protrusion segments, and each of the protrusion segments can be adapted to couple a corresponding channel segment or a portion of a channel 42 formed in the cover member 26 of the closure assembly. 22 when the cover member 26 is in the first position 30.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the resealable packaging assembly 10 also includes the latch assembly 22 secured

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE ΐΙβϊΑΒβϊΙίΛΟ to container 12 adjacent to opening 20 or area in which opening is defined (as when lower portion 62 acts as a detachable seal to cover opening 20). Lock assembly 22 includes lid member 26 and hinge portion 28, and lid member 26 is rotatable about hinge portion 28 between first position 30 and second position 34. At least a portion of the closure assembly 22 may include the second sheet 24 and a portion of the first sheet 14. More specifically, the cover member 26 may partially include the second sheet 24, and the second sheet may be sized and dimensioned to cover the opening 20 when the cover member 26 is in the first position 30. The second sheet 24 can be any suitable material, such as any of the materials described above that the first sheet 14 can comprise. Specifically, the second sheet 24 can be PP, PET, or PLA or any other suitable material. The second sheet 24 may have a uniform thickness, or the thickness may vary. In this first position 30, the cap member 26 may have an elongated shape that extends along a longitudinal cap axis 70 from a first end 72 to a second end 74 that is adjacent to the hinge portion 28, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. The cap shaft 70 can at least partially extend along or adjacent to a bottom surface of the second sheet 24 (and a top surface of the first sheet 14) such that the cap shaft 70 is collinear (or - - »τ -. _τ ..............., W

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO | ¡W ......... Ι · ίΜθ substantially collinear) with the axis of the opening of the cover member 26 is in the first position 30. In alternative modalities, the cover member 26 of the closing assembly 22 it can include only the second sheet 24, and the lower portion 62 can be secured to the container 12 to cover the opening 20 and act as a seal as described above.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 8, the cap member 26 may include a cap edge 76 defining the outer edge (or an outer perimeter edge) of the cap member 26, and the cap edge 76 may include one or more segments. For example, the cap edge 76 may include a first side edge 78a and a second side edge 78b, and each of the first side edge 78a and the second side edge 78b may be parallel to and inclined equidistant from the cap axis 70. Each of the first side edge 78a and the second side edge 78b can be arranged at a second distance D2 from the cover axis 70, and the second distance D2 can be greater than the first distance D1 that separates each of the first side edge 56a and the second lateral edge 56b from the opening axis 52. A first end of the first side edge 78a and a first end of the second side edge 78b can be arranged adjacent to the hinge portion 28 at the second end 54 of the opening 20.

Cap edge 76 may also include a curved front edge 80 extending from a second end of the first

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78a side edge and a second end of the sig

56b towards the first end 53 of the opening 20. The front edge 80 can be symmetrically formed around the cap axis 60 and a distance between the front edge 80 and the cap axis 70 can increase from the first end 72 of the cap member 26 at the second end of the first and second lateral edges 78a, 78b. Front edge 80 may have the same or substantially the same general shape as front edge 60 of opening 20. That is, front edge 80 can be in the form of a portion of a circle, a portion of an oval, or a portion of a parabola, a square, or a rectangle, for example. The front edge 80 can be tilted outwardly from the front edge 60 of the opening, and the tilt distance can be uniform. For example, the tilt distance may be the difference between the second distance D2 of the cap member 26 and the first difference D1 of the opening 20. The front edge 80 may include a tab 117 (illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B) projecting away from the second engagement feature 38 to facilitate opening and closing of the cap member 26 by a user.

As illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 8, the cover member 26 of the closure assembly 22 includes the second coupling feature 38 adapted to engage the first coupling feature 36 arranged on the container 12 to removably secure the cover member 26 when going · »go τιι-% ίγ ..

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container 12 when the cover member 2 position 30 illustrated in Figure 4, and the second coupling feature 38 can be integrally formed on or with the cover member 26. The second coupling feature 38 can be any element or combination of elements that they couple to their corresponding first coupling feature 36 to allow the lid member to sealably engage container 12. For example, the second coupling feature 38 may be a channel 42 adapted to receive the protrusion 40 formed on the top wall 16a of the container 12. As illustrated in Figure 3, the channel 42 can extend vertically upwards (or substantially vertically up) from a first surface 82 of the second sheet 24, and, as shown in Figure 2, the channel may extend along a channel axis 84. Channel shaft 84 may have a general U-shape, and the open end of U-shaped channel shaft 84 may be at or adjacent to second end 74 of cap member 26.

Referring to Figures 54A, and 59-65, and in various embodiments, the channel may be continuous, surrounding the entire perimeter of the opening. As described in detail below, in such embodiments, the lid member may be completely detached from the container, or may be hinged to the container, for example, at a second end of the lid member. The axis of channel 84 can be inclined ir · »ir τιι-% ίγ .................-«

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78a, the second side edge 78b and the front edge 80 of the cover member 26. The channel axis 84 can overlap or substantially overlap (ie, have the same shape, dimension and relative position) the protrusion axis 64 when viewed along the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1, when the cover member 26 is in the first position 30. Channel 42 may have a uniform or substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along the axis of channel 84. Alternatively, channel 42 may have a non-uniform cross-sectional shape.

Referring to Figure 3, channel 42 can be formed on first sheet 14 and can have any suitable cross-sectional shape or combination of shapes (when viewed along the axis of channel 84). For example, channel 42 may include a pair of internally tapered surfaces 86a, 86b and a bottom surface 88, and surfaces 86a, 86b, 88 are adapted to contact or be adjacent to a corresponding surface of protrusion 40 (i.e., sides internally tapered 66a, 66b and an upper wall 68, respectively), when the cover member 26 is in the first position 30. The cross sectional shape of channel 42 may be uniform or substantially uniform along the axis of channel 84, and may correspond to the cross sectional shape of projection 40 along projection axis 64. The

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ends of the channel 42 comprising the pierr that are adjacent to the second end 74 of the cover member 26 can gradually decrease to receive the corresponding conical ends of the projection 40.

Instead of a single channel 42, the second coupling feature 38 may include two or more channel segments (not shown) that are not continuous over the length of the channel axis 84. Each of these channel segments may correspond to previously described protrusion segments formed in the upper wall 16a of container 12 such that each of the protrusion segments can be adapted to couple a corresponding channel segment or portion of a channel 42 formed in the lid member 26 of the closure assembly 22 when the lid member 26 is in the first position 30.

In an alternative embodiment, the first coupling feature 36 may be a channel 42 that can extend vertically downward from the top wall 16a of container 12, and the second coupling feature 38 may be a protrusion 40 that can extend vertically downward from cover member 26 of closure assembly 22. In the first position 30, the protrusion 40 can be received in channel 42 to allow the lid member to sealably engage container 12.

Referring to Figures 59-65, the cap member may include one or more closure features including flush cut, button or snap on features, or other interacting locking features. For example, as shown in Figures 59A-59E, the cap member may include a single closure feature 500 provided at a first end 502 of cap 26, and disposed at approximately the center of the closure feature may include a downward projection portion formed on the second sheet. The downwardly projecting portion formed on the second sheet may interact, for example, residing in a cavity of corresponding shape and size formed on the first sheet, when the lid is in the closed position. Figures 61A-61E show that a lid may include a closure feature 500 defined by an upward projecting portion formed on the first sheet and a receiving cavity formed on the second sheet, with the receiving cavity arranged such that the portion of Upward projection resides in the receiving cavity when the lid is in the closed position.

The cover member can include any number of closure features. For example, Figures 60A-59H illustrate an embodiment having two closure features 500a, 500b arranged at the corners of the lid near the first end of the lid. The closing feature (s) 500 may be disposed at any suitable location on the lid to help secure the lid 26 in the closed position. For example, the closure feature 500 may be provided in a cap region 26 (as illustrated for example in Figure 70), or near an edge of the cap 26 (as illustrated for example in Figures 60A-59H and 71A-71E). The closure feature 500 can be any suitable shape. For example, Figures 59A-59E and 60A-59H illustrate embodiments in which the closure feature has a circular shape. Figures 61A-59E illustrate an embodiment in which the closure feature has an oblong shape. For example, the closure feature can be any shape, including circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other polygonal shape. Figures 64A-64E illustrate an embodiment in which the closure feature 500 has a teardrop shape projecting down from the second sheet 416 into the opening. The closing feature 500 may have increased depth as the first end of the cap member 26 is approached, for example, as illustrated in Figures 64A-64E.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 6, and 8, the cap member 26 of closure assembly 22 may include a convex portion 98 to provide structural support for cap member 26. Convex portion 98 may extend from second end 74 of the lid member 26 towards the first end 72, and a trailing edge 100 of the convex portion 98 adjacent to the second end 74 may comprise a portion of the hinge portion 28. More specifically, the cap member 26 can go · »r mr ..............- OR

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Mexican INSTITUTE ......... ί »·! Βίι ·« 1ίΟ turn on the trailing edge 100 of the portion «* move from the first position 30 to the second position 34. The trailing edge 100 may have the shape of a portion of an arc when viewed along the Z axis, and the shape of the trailing edge 100 coupled with the shape of the convex portion 98 cooperates to keep the lid member 26 in a rigidly erect position when in the second position 3. 4. For example, the cap axis 70 may form an angle between 45 degrees and 125 degrees with the opening axis 52 when the cap member 26 is in the second position 34. Instead of an arc, the trailing edge 100 may include a plurality of arc segments or linear segments that form a zigzag pattern.

Referring again to Figures 1, 6, and 8, the convex portion 98 can have a parabolic shape or a parabolic shape substantially when viewed along the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1. Convex portion 98 can be symmetrically formed along lid axis 70, and the distance between an upper surface of first sheet 14 comprising convex portion 98 and lid axis 70 may gradually decrease as convex portion 98 extends from the second end 74 of the cap member 26 to the first end 72, as illustrated in Figure 6. For example, the distance between an upper surface of the first sheet 14 comprising the convex portion 98 and the cap axis 70 may gradually decrease as the convex portion 98 extends from the cap axis 71 of the first and second lateral edge 78a, 78b, as illustrated in Figure 9. In addition, when viewed in cross section along the lid axis 70; convex portion 98 can have a curved or substantially curved shape. In alternative embodiments, convex portion 98 may be generally triangle-shaped when viewed along the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1, as indicated in the illustrations of the thermoforming molds of Figures 1 7A to 1 7J.

Referring now to Figure 1, the closure assembly 22 may include a support portion 102 extending from the second end 74 of the lid member 26 towards the fourth side wall 16e of container 12, and a portion of the portion of Support 102 adjacent second end 74 of cover member 26 may comprise a portion of hinge portion 28. Support portion 102 can be formed from second sheet 24, and all or a portion of second sheet 24 of support portion 102 can be secured to a portion of first sheet 14 (eg, top wall 16a of the container 12) adjacent to the fourth side wall 16e of container 12. Support portion 102 can structurally secure lid member 26 to container 12 and allow lid member 26 to rotate on hinge portion 28. A portion of the support portion 102 (one or both of the τ »r η τ ................ Ο

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE (υβ ......... Β · ®ίτ · Ο first leaf 14 and second leaf 24) can ext hinge portion 28 through the slot between the fourth side wall 16e and the upper wall 16a such that the portion of the first sheet 14 is arranged against a portion of the inner surface of the fourth side wall 16e. Support portion 102 can be partially defined by a pair of side edges 103a, 103b that can extend parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the first and second side edges 78a, 78b when the cover member 26 in the first position 30. However , the distance between each of the pair of side edges 103a, 103b and the cover axis 70 may be less than the distance between the first and second side edges 78a, 78b and the cover axis 70.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 4, 6, and 7, the resealable packaging assembly 10 may also include a first locking feature 104a and a second locking feature 104b. The first locking feature 104a may be a protrusion formed in the container 12, and the second locking feature 104b may be a cavity formed in the lid member 26 which is adapted to receive the first locking feature 104a, as illustrated in Figure 10. More specifically, the first securing feature 104a may be an elongated protrusion formed along a portion of the protrusion axis 64, and the protrusion may have a _τ , r τ »τ .....«

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO ffgg ........ ijijiljii ^ O plurality of side walls 106a-d which vertically beyond the upper wall 68 of the overhang 40, as shown in Figure 11A. The first side wall 106a and the second oppositely arranged side wall 106b can be curved to match the outline of the projection axis 64, and the third 106c and fourth side walls 106D can each extend between the first 106a and the second side wall 106b. The third 106c and fourth side walls 106d can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as curved, linear, a spike, a triangle, or partially curved. An upper surface 108 may be parallel or substantially parallel to and vertically inclined from the upper wall 68 of the projection 40. All or part of any or all of the plurality of side walls 106a-d may be formed as a flush cut. That is, one or more side walls 106a-d or a portion of one or more side walls 106a-d may be formed at an acute angle to the top surface of the top wall 16a (i.e., the first sheet 14) of the container 12 Such a flush cut will allow the lid member 26 to be positively secured to the container 12. The flush cut can also be formed on or within the first boss 40.

As explained above, the second securing feature 104b may be a cavity formed in the lid member 26. More specifically, the second

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I VI Γ I ”* O * · JL» AAA fg_................ · Jjp securing feature 104b may elongate 109 formed at a bottom of a protrusion formed along a portion of the axis of channel 84, and cavity 109 may be adapted to receive the first securing feature 104a. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 11B, cavity 109 may have a plurality of side surfaces 110a-d each extending vertically upward from a bottom surface 112 of second sheet 24 of cap member 26. A first side surface 110a and an oppositely arranged second side surface 110b can be curved or contoured to correspond to the curved shape of the first side wall 106a and the second side wall 106b, respectively of the first securing feature 104a. Also, a third side surface 110c and a fourth side surface 110d may be formed to correspond to the shape of the third 106c and fourth side walls 106d of the first securing feature 104a.

Referring to Figures 2, 8, 11B, a top surface 114 may be parallel or substantially parallel and vertically inclined from bottom surface 88 of channel 42, and a vertical distance between top surface 114 and bottom surface 112 of the second sheet 24 of cap member 26 may be greater than a vertical distance between bottom surface 88 of channel 42 and bottom surface 112 of the second

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be dimensioned and sized such that the first securing feature 104a can be coupled (eg received in) to the second securing feature 104b to allow the lid member 26 to be sealably coupled to the container 12. All or part of any or all of the plurality of side surfaces 110a-d may be formed as a flush cut. That is, one or more side surfaces 110a-d or a portion of one or more side surfaces 110a-d may form an acute angle with the bottom surface 112 of the second sheet 24 of the cap member 26. The flush cut of the first securing feature 104a may couple a corresponding flush cut into second securing feature 104b to releasably lock or secure lid member 26 to container 12. Instead of an acute angle, a portion of one or more side surfaces

110a-d may include a detent that starts from .050 from top surface 108, proceeds down and in at an angle of 45 ° for approximately .070, and transitions down to .050, then down and out at 35 °. These dimensions are for illustrative purposes only, other dimensions may be appropriate. One having ordinary skill in the art might recognize that a corresponding similar retainer or protrusion may be formed on or in the first securing feature 104a.

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In alternative embodiments, the first belay 104a may be a cavity formed in a channel 42 that can extend vertically downward from the top wall 16a of container 12, and the second belay feature 104b may be a protrusion that can extend downward from the cover member 26 of closure assembly 22. In the first position 30, the protrusion can be received in the cavity to allow the lid member to be sealably attached to container 12.

An alternative closure assembly 22 is illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B. In this embodiment, the support portion 102 can be at least partially disposed on or secured to the upper wall 16a of the container 12. When viewed parallel to the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 1, the support portion 102 can be defined by a pair of parallel side edges 103a, 103b, and a trailing edge 105 extends between the side edges 103a, 103b such that support portion 102 is disposed on top wall 16a. Alternatively, a portion of the support portion 102 can be inserted through a slot between the top wall 16a and the fourth side wall 16e. The hinge portion 28 may include a pair of oppositely arranged cuts 107a, 107b that can extend inward of each of the pair of parallel side edges 103a, 103b (and inward of the first and second side edges 78a, 78b of the cap member 26 adjacent to

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107b may be symmetrical near the cover axis 70. Each of the cuts 107a, 107b may include a normal first segment 111a, 111b up to the corresponding side edge 103a, 103b.

A second segment 113a, 113b may extend obliquely from one end of the first segment 111a, 111b to the first end 72 of the cap member 26. A third segment 115a, 115b may extend internally from a corresponding end of the second segment 113a, 113b parallel to the io first segment 111a, 111b. A terminal end of the third segment 115a, 115b may be disposed at a suitable distance from the cap axis 70 such that the cap member 26 can rotate from a first position 30 to the second position 34 about a portion of the closure member extending between a terminal end of each of the cuts 107a, 107b (ie, a terminal end of each of the third segments 115a, 115b). Specifically, cover member 26 can rotate from a first position 30 to second position 34 about a fold or fold (which can be slotted, drilled, or formed 20 as a feature of closure member 22) that extends between the terminal ends. each of the third segment 115a, 115b.

When the cap member 26 is rotated to a second position 34 illustrated in Figure 20B, a first cap projection 119a and a second cap projection 119b can go »go ίγ% go .......... ....... Μ

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE fB = IiBlfi »lO adjust, deform, or move to a position formed by one or more of the segments 111a, 111b, 113a, 113b, 115a, 115b couple the support portion 102 to support the cap member 26 in the second position 34. Alternatively, the first cap projection 119a and the second cap projection 119b may remain stationary relative to the rest of the cap members 25 when the support portion 102 is coupled to support the cap member 26 in the second position 34. As the cap member 26 is rotated from the first position 30 to the second position 34, the cap member 26 can be deformed (eg, take a warped shape) to provide longitudinal stiffness to the cap member 26. The second position 34 may be a position that is intermediate between a first position (for example, in a closed position) and a fully open position (a third position) in which the cap member 26 or a portion of the cap member can be adjacent to an upper portion of the fourth side wall 16e. In the second position, the lid axis 70 can form an angle with the top wall 16a of the container 12 (or with the position of the lid axis 70 when the lid member is in the first position 30) which is between 30 ° and 120 °.

Hinge portion 28 including cuts 107a, 107b can be used in embodiments where cover member 26 includes a lower portion 62, and cuts 107a, 107b can extend through each of first sheet 14 (the portion low 62) and the second sheet 24. Alternatively,

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107b can extend through the second sheet and not the lower portion

62. The hinge portion 28 that includes the cuts

107a, 107b can also be used where the cover member means, when the

62). The second sheet cuts

107a, 107b is formed by only cover member 26 not the second sheet (it has a low portion

107a, 107b can be extended through the (and, through

62), or a second combination sheet of can be continuous the lower portion 62), the same. The cuts o may comprise cutting segments and grooves between the segments. The cuts

107a, 107b can be perforated or slotted (or any combination of

The above-described hinge portion 28 including the one cuts 107a, package that

107b also does not include a package it may generally be suitable for use in opening 20. Hinge portion 28 above may be formed, above, into a resealable label a sheet as the resealable label rotates over the label portion re14, as shown Covering described to allow the fully open position (i.e. the second position).

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As illustrated in Figure 18, the moni may include a locking mechanism 126 that includes a locking feature 128 that is received by a receiving feature 130 when the cover member 26 is in a fully open position. The locking feature 128 may be a protrusion extending upward from the cap member 26, and the protrusion may have a rectangular, square, round shape, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape or combination of cross-sectional shapes. Receiving feature 130 may be formed in support portion 102 (or in container 12 itself) on an opposite side of hinge portion 28, and receiving feature 130 may include a pair of receiving protrusions 132 that are spaced apart to forming a receiving slot 134 therebetween. Each of the pair of receptor protrusions 132 may have a rectangular, square, round shape, or any other cross-sectional shape or combination of cross-sectional shapes. The width of the receiving slot 134 is approximately equal to or slightly less than a corresponding width of the locking feature 128 such that the locking feature 128 (and, consequently, the entire cover member 26) is retained in the receiving slot 134 when the cap member 26 is rotated on the hinge portion 28 such that the cap member 26 is in a fully open position. A flush cut may form in the pair of receptor protrusions 132

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO ......... 1118 (111/10 and / or in the blocking feature 128 positively the blocking characteristic 128 inside the receiving slot 134. The blocking mechanism 126 can be formed in a thermoforming operation using one of the molds illustrated in Figures 16A to 17J, for example.

Cap or flap retention features reseal in an open position

In various embodiments, the resealable flap or closure assembly may include features disposed on the cap member that retain the cap member in an open position (second position), which may facilitate access to the package. Referring to Figure 26, the cover member 226 may include the first and second projections 219a, 219b which rotate over the opening of the cover member 226 from a first (closed) position to the second (open) position. While the following description is provided regarding the cover including two projections, it should be understood that the cover may include any suitable number of projections, including a single projection or greater than two projections. The projection or projections facilitate retention of the cover member 226 in the second position. The first and second projections 219a, 219b can be arranged in the region of the hinge portion 228 of the cap member 226 and positioned so that the axis of the hinge is between the projections and the distal end of the cap 226. Making

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219a, 219b each have a first end 230a and a second end 230b. The projections are formed by cuts in the cover member such that the first end 230a of the projections 219a, 219b is adhered to the cover member 226 and the second end 230b and periphery of the projections 219a, 219b can be separated from a portion of the second blade 224 and rotate from a first position to the second position when the cover member 226 moves from the first position to the second position. In the first position, the lid projections 219a, 219b can be arranged generally parallel to the top wall 216a of the package. Referring to Figure 28, in the second position of the cap projections 219a, 219b they can be placed generally perpendicular to the upper wall 216a of the package 212, with the second end 230b of each cap projection 219a, 219b being in contact. with top wall 216a, thus retaining cover member 226 in the second position. For example, friction between projections 219a, 219b and top wall 216a can resist the closure cap by gravity resistance. The friction interference between the projections 219a, 219b can be a function of how much the upper wall 216a is deflected by the projections 219a, 219b during movement from the first to the second position. The amount of friction is sufficient to retain the cap 226 in the second position, but may be

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The first and second projections 219a, 219b may have any suitable shape, such as, for example, semicircular, triangular, semi-hexagonal, and W-shaped. Figure 29 is a schematic illustration of the region of hinge portions 228 of cap members 226 having projections of different size and shape 219a, 219b. In various embodiments, the first and second projections 219a, 219b are the same shape and the same size. In some embodiments, the first and second projections 219a, 219b may have different shapes and / or different sizes.

The first and second projections 219a, 219b have a length between the first and second ends such that when the cover is rotated, the first and second projections 219a, 219b move from the first position to the second position, the first and second projections 219a, 219b may contact top wall 216a at least at their respective second edges 230b. The length of the projections 219a, 219b can be adjusted to accommodate the amount of resistance acting and the resulting deflection of the upper wall 216a by the projections 219a, 219b. In various embodiments, the first and second projections 219a, 219b are such that the projections 219a, 219b do not excessively bend or deform during movement of the first and second positions and can retain sufficient stiffness to retain the second position member (open).

Referring to Figures 30A-30B, the first and second projections 219a, 219b may have any suitable width or diameter. In various embodiments, the width of the projections 219a, 219b is selected such that the cuts in the cap member 226 to form the projections 219a, 219b do not overlap with the cuts in the first sheet and the lower portion (if included). for the formation of the opening in the package. By arranging the various cuts in that manner, the package can be provided such that there is no opening in the package that is not covered by the lid member.

The top wall of the container may include one or more features arranged below the first and second projections to aid in the movement of the projections. Features can be formed, for example, when they are formed, such as by thermoforming, the coupling and / or any other closing feature, on the lid. For example, the top wall may include one or more protrusions on which the first and second projections can slide and ultimately reside to assist in keeping the cover members in the open position.

Referring to Figures 59-64, 70 and 71, the cap member may include additional features to aid in retaining the cap in an open position and / or adding additional stiffness to the cap member. Poi may include a tab that projects up from the top wall of the container. The lid may include corner portions 506 having a thickness greater than a central portion disposed between the corner portions. The variable thickness of the tab 51 and the location of the tab 51 compared to the channel 42 can be arranged such that a rear region of the channel resides in the central portion when the cover member 26 is in the open position. Cap member 26 may further include cutting portions adjacent to the posterior region of the channel that are adapted to reside in the raised corners of the flange when the cap member is in the open position.

Referring to Figures 65A-65F, in various embodiments, the cap member can be free of such additional features, which can beneficially maximize package opening. Figures 65A-65E illustrate a mold to form the lid 26 and Figure 65F illustrates a lid formed using the mold of Figures 65A-F. As illustrated in Figures 65A-65F, the hinge 28 near which the cap 26 rotates can be arranged closely adjacent to one end, for example the second end, of the cap member 26. The first and second coupling features 34, 36 can be channels and a corresponding projection defining the perimeter of the opening. The lid 26 may further include projections 219 (described above) to assist in retaining the lid 26 in an open position.

The lid 26 can also include one or more locking features 500 to help retain the lid in the closed position. Any closing feature can be used as noted above. Figures 65A-65F illustrate a mode in which flush cuts are placed at the corners of the lid to aid in closure.

Referring to Figures 67A-67E, it illustrates an embodiment of the cap channel having a hexagonal shape, with corner regions 508 of the cap 26 being substantially flat or having a subtle curvature. The corners can be tilted for example from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, from about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees, from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees. Other suitable values ​​for the corner angle include, for example, about 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 , 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 degrees. Locking mechanisms 510, provided as flush cuts in corner regions, can be provided to assist in retaining the lid in the closed position.

In various embodiments, the lid may be provided with a tongue disposed in the corner region 508 of the lid 26, as opposed to a central portion of the lid 26. It should be understood here that the lids according to the description may include a or more tabs 117 available:

instead of the lid 26. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that providing a tab 117 in a corner region 508 of the lid 26 can facilitate opening of the lid 26, by reducing the amount of mechanical closing resistance of the lid 26. lid 26 to be overcome to open the package compared to a tab 117 provided in the central region of the lid 117. It has been observed that by providing a tab 117 at corner 508 the mechanical strength to open the container can be reduced from about 1000 grams of mechanical strength for the center tab to a mechanical strength of 150 grams. The embodiment of Figure 70 illustrates an embodiment having two tabs 117a, 117b disposed at opposite corners 508 of the front of cap 26. Any suitable number of tabs, including zero or a single one, can be provided in packages according to embodiments of the description.

Referring to Figure 68A-68F, the lid 26 may have a central portion 512 with a downwardly extending (concave) curvature into the interior of the package. The concave central portion 512 can provide the package, and in particular, the lid 26 with increased opening resistance due to internal pressure in the container. For example, during the transport of the packages they can experience different pressure environments, even under considerable vacuum pressure. The concave portion provides some tolerance of the lid for such pressure changes that may be experienced during, for example, shipping.

Additionally, referring to Figures 68A-68F and 69A and 69B, by providing the lid with a concave downward portion 512, a portion of the lid may be disposed below the top surface of the opening panel region and may interact with the channel side wall 512 below the top surface of the opening panel region. The channel side wall 514 can be provided with a hollow groove 516 arranged around all or a portion of the opening in which a projection corresponding to the edge of the lid may reside when the lid is in the closed position. This can improve the sealing ability of the lid and the resistance of the lid to accidental opening when dropped or otherwise during handling, transport, or storage.

Referring to Figure 27, a hinge portion 228 of cover 226 is disposed between the first and second projections 219a, 219b. In one embodiment, the hinge portion 228 is arranged in line with the first end of the projections 230a. Hinge portion 228 can be provided by a cut in the lid. The cut defining the hinge portion extends between but does not overlap with the cuts defining the first and second projections. The • r - * r ίτ% ir ^ ir ~ «

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ΙΝΧΠΤίίΤΟ MEXICAN fig ......... Bil! J6 * | O cut can have a length such that the hinge cut does not overlap with the cuts on the first leaf 214 and the lower portion 232 (if included). to define opening 220 of package 212.

The first and second above-described projections 219a, 219b and associated hinge portion 228 may be incorporated in package modalities 212 that include the formed cap or the non-formed cap in which a portion of the second sheet 224 is removably attached to the first sheet 214 to cover opening 220 of package 212.

One or more additional features may be provided on the projection 40 of the first coupling feature 36 to further secure the lid member 26 to the container 12. For example, as illustrated in Figure 13, one or more oblong protrusions 124 may project outwardly from the outer tapered side 66b of the projection 40, and each protrusion 124 may be adapted to engage a corresponding surface of the channel 42 of the cap member 26 to secure the lid member 26 to the container 12 in the first position 30. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more protrusions 124 or flush cuts may be disposed on a surface of channel 42 of lid member 26 to engage a corresponding surface or flush cut of shoulder 40 to secure lid member 26 to the container. 12 in the first position 30.

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I VI iI · ΐϊβ * ”*” * α Λ 1 f 1 X JL ft Jr ^ JIOI Mexican INSTITUTE «If ........« 181010 cover 26 to container 12 in the first position of releasable surface can be applied to all or a portion of the lid member 26 that makes contact (and is sealably coupled) with the top wall 16a of the container 12 when the lid member 26 is in the first position 30. Alternatively, or in addition to the adhesive described above, a releasable surface adhesive can be applied to all or a portion of the top wall 16a of the container 12 that contacts the lid member 26 when the lid member 26 is in the first position 30 For example, a releasable surface adhesive. The surface adhesive can be any suitable adhesive that is provided for adhesion between lid member 26 and container 12 in the course of a suitable number of openings and closings by the user. Suitable adhesives can be pressure sensitive acrylics, for example.

As illustrated in Figure 12, a stabilizing portion 180, such as a third sheet 116 (or a third film), can be secured (or integrally formed with) the first sheet 14 comprising container 12 to increase the caliber of the container 12 in the region of stabilizer portion 180 to provide greater rigidity to container 12 in a desired area. The stabilizing portion 180 may advantageously be provided only in one portion of the upper wall 16a of the container 12 without affecting the gauge of other portions of the τ ir τ% τ ................. .......... ^ω

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container 12. This may be advantageous with various configurations of resealable packaging assemblies 10 in which the sealing of edges and / or folds of portions of the first sheet 14 can be made more difficult if a film having a large gauge in general is used. Referring to Figure 32, in some embodiments, the third sheet may have one or more portions extending outwardly from a main body such that in package formation, the main body remains in the region of the top wall and one or more externally extending portions are arranged on one or more side walls. The stabilizing portion 180 can be secured to (or integrally formed with) the first sheet 14 in any way known in the art. Specifically, all or a portion of a top surface 118 (i.e., a first side or first surface) of third sheet 116 may be secured to all or a portion of a bottom surface 120 (i.e., a second side or second surface). The first sheet 14 comprising all or a portion of the top wall 16a, with a cover surface 122 (i.e., a first side or first surface) of the first sheet 14 may be an outer surface of the top wall 16a. For example, the third sheet 116 can be secured to the bottom surface 120 of the first sheet 14 such that the opening 20 in the first sheet 14 is completely surrounded by the third sheet 116. The third sheet 116 can extend to the opening edge 55 , or you can lean

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IMPI ϊνχτπέίό mexican externally of the opening edge 55. The 1 may also extend to one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls 16b-16e, or the third sheet 116 may incline internally of any or all of the first , second, third and fourth side walls 16b-16e. The internal tilt distance may vary or may be uniform for each side wall 16b-16e. To secure the third sheet 116 to the first sheet 14, an adhesive may be applied to all or a portion of the upper surface of the third sheet 116. In addition, or alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to all or a portion of the lower surface 120 of the first sheet

14. As an alternative to the adhesive, the third sheet 116 may be integrally formed with, heat sealed to, or ultra sonically welded to the first sheet 14. The thickness of the third sheet 116 may be uniform or may vary, and may have any thickness that provides a desired stiffness in the upper wall 16a of the container 12 to allow proper sealing engagement of the lid member 26 and the container 12 in the first position 30.

The stabilizing portion 180 may also include a coating, such as an ink or an adhesive, selectively applied to the bottom surface 120 of the first sheet 14. The stabilizing portion 180 may also include a layer of additional material on the bottom surface 120 of the first sheet

14. For example, the material may have a structure of go&gt; go ττ% -w- ............... tt »

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foam. In one embodiment, a polymeric coating can be applied to at least a portion of the bottom surface 120 of the first sheet 14 and react to form a foam structure and thereby form the stabilizer portion 180. In various embodiments, the stabilizer portion 180 can be provided when the first sheet 14 is formed. For example, the first sheet 14 may be extruded to have an increased gauge portion in the region of the first sheet 14 that is adapted to be adjacent to the opening 20. For example, the first sheet 14 may be provided with an additional laminated layer in the region of the first sheet 14 that is adapted to be adjacent to the opening 20, compared to the number of layers in other regions of the first sheet 14, with which increases the caliber of the first sheet 14 in the region of the opening 20.

The one or more tabs 51 (see Figure 18) or any other protrusion or combination of protrusions formed on or along the top wall 16a of the container 12, including the second coupling feature 38, may allow vertical stacking of the mounting of resealable packaging 10. More specifically, the vertically projecting feature / features can couple a downward portion of the wall projecting from the bottom wall 16f of the container, and said coupling limits or prevents relative horizontal movement between stacked assemblies 10.

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As illustrated in Figures 55A, 55B resealable packaging assembly 10 may include a closure assembly 339 which may include a lid member 340 similar (or identical) to the hinged embodiment of the previously described lid member 26 with the exception of that the lid member 340 is completely removable from the container 12. That is, the lid member 340 is movable between a first position (Figure 55A) in which the lid member 340 releasably engages a first portion of the container 12 surrounding the opening 20 and a second position (Figure 55B). ) in which the lid member is not in contact with container 12, thus allowing a user to access the interior volume through the opening. Opening 20 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes, such as rectangular, oval, oblong, round, and / or polygonal shape.

Referring to Figures 54A through 54C, 55A, 55B, and 56A through 56D, the cover member 340 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes, such as square, oval, oblong, and / or polygonal, for example. More specifically, the cover member 340 can be rectangular. Cover member 340 can be defined by a first side edge 341 and a second side edge 432 parallel or substantially parallel to the first side edge 341. Alternatively, the first side edge 341 and the second side edge 432 may each have any suitable orientation. A first end edge 343 can

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE J »....... (BisJJí &lt;l | Q extend between a first end of the first b (a first end of the second lateral edge 432. A second end edge 344 can extend between a second end of the first edge side 341 and a second end of the 5 second side edge 432. The first end edge 343 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the second end edge

344, but the first end edge 343 and the second end edge 344 may have any suitable orientation. The edges 341-344 may each be linear or may be curved, partially curved, contoured, partially contoured, corrugated and / or partially corrugated, for example.

The lid member 340 of the closure assembly 339 may include the second coupling feature 38 adapted to couple the first coupling feature 36 15 disposed on the container 12 to detachably secure the lid member 26 to the container 12 when the lid member 339 it is in the first position 30 illustrated in Figure 55A, and the second coupling feature 38 may be integrally formed on or with the cap member 340. The second coupling feature may be any element or combination of elements that engage its corresponding first coupling feature 36 to allow the lid member 340 to be sealedly attached to container 12. For example, the second coupling feature 38 can be a channel 42

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16a of container 12, as previously described. As a further example, the first coupling feature 36 may be a channel 42 that can extend vertically downward from the top wall 16a of the container 12, and the second coupling feature 38 may be the protrusion 40 that can extend vertically downward from cover member 340 of closure assembly 339. In the first position, protrusion 40 can be received in channel 42 to allow lid member 340 to sealably engage container 12.

The second coupling feature 38 may include a first portion 38a, a second portion 38b, a third portion 38c, and a fourth portion 38d, and the first portion 38a, the second portion 38b, the third portion 38c, and the fourth portion 38d may be in alignment with a first portion 36a, a second portion 36b, a third portion 36c, and a fourth portion 36d of the first coupling feature 36, respectively, when the cover member 339 is in the first position 30 illustrated in Figure 55A. Each of the first portion 38a, the second portion 38b, the third portion 38c, and the fourth portion 38d may be internally (and optionally equidistant) from the first side edge 341, the second side edge 342, the first end edge 343, and the second end edge 344, respectively. Each of the go n go «go .....«

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341. Alternatively, each of the first portion 38a and second portion 38b may be elongated and may have a longitudinal axis that is curved or inclined (or internally curved or inclined) relative to the first lateral edge 341. Each of the third portion 38c , and fourth portion 38d may be elongated and may have a longitudinal axis parallel to first end edge 343. Alternatively, each of the third portion 38c and fourth portion 38d may be elongated and may have a longitudinal axis that is curved or inclined (or internally curved or inclined) relative to the first end edge 343. Each of the first portion Corresponding 36a, second portion 36b, third portion 36c, and fourth portion 36d of the first coupling feature 36 can be similarly formed in container 12. Each of the first portion 38a, the second portion 38b, the third portion 38c, and the fourth portion 38d of the second coupling feature 38 can form a continuous, simple, uninterrupted feature that completely surrounds the opening 20. Alternatively, one or more grooves or breaks may be provided or between the first portion 38a, the second portion 38b, the third portion 38c, and the fourth portion 38d of the second coupling feature 38.

The resealable packaging 10 assembly may also include τ »go τ ................. ω

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Figure 54C. Leaky dispenser feature 345 can include any feature or combination of features that allows for easy pouring out or dispensing of materials stored in the interior volume of container 12. For example, Lean dispenser feature 345 may be a contoured edge 346 that partially defines the opening 20 formed in container 12 or partially defining an edge of a removable cutout through lid member 340. Furthermore, the lean dispensing feature 345 may comprise or partially comprise a vertical projection in contact with or adjacent to the opening 20, and the vertical projection may be an upwardly extending ledge or rim extending from the upper wall 16a of the container. The vertical projection can be a thermoforming feature that can be formed when the features of the closure assembly 22 are formed. Alternatively, the vertical projection may be formed before or after the formation of the closure assembly 22 features.

Resealable flexible containers

In various embodiments, the package can be provided with a resealable opening as opposed to a closure assembly. Any of the features described above, including for example, projections 219a, 291b, a hinge, tabs, etc., can be used on packages in accordance with embodiments of the resealable opening description.

Referring to Figures 72 and 73A-73B, in one embodiment, the package may be provided with only the first sheet 614 and the second sheet 616 arranged on the first sheet 614, such that the second sheet 616 defines at least a portion of the outer surface of the package on at least one panel of the package. The second sheet 616 can be arranged in the opening panel region 620 of the package and can extend at least three walls, each of the three walls being adjacent to one of the other walls on which the second sheet is arranged. The second sheet 616 may be provided over all or only a portion of any of at least three walls. An opening 20 can be defined on the first sheet 614 and a resealable flap 623 can be defined on the second sheet 616 in the opening panel region 620 to cover the opening. The resealable flap 623 is movable between a closed position in which the flap 623 is resealable attached to the first sheet and covers the opening, and an open position in which the flap 623 is disposed away from the opening and the opening is accessible. The opening panel region 620 can be any of the walls defining the package, including, for example, the top wall, as illustrated in Figure 72, the front or rear wall, or both the top wall and one or both. from the front or rear wall. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 73B, the ττ τι r τ »τ —............... ω

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A »Λ Λ A (J ,. ^ ΛΟΠΙ opening 20 may extend from the open opening 620 to one or more package side walls or panels 624. Figure 73b illustrates one embodiment in which opening panel 20 extends through opening panel region 620 and a side panel 624, with tab 617 located on side panel 624. The opening 20 in this embodiment is provided and in the opening panel region 620 and the side panel 624 and the resealable flap 623 provided by the second sheet 616 is dimensioned to extend over the opening 20 in both the opening panel region 620 and the side panel region 624. The second sheet 616 may be fluted, cut, or otherwise perforated to provide the resealable flap portion 623 that is adapted to resealable to the first sheet 614 in the opening panel region 620 to securely close resealable the package.

The second sheet 616 joins the first sheet 614 in the regions of the first contacting sheet. In various embodiments, the second sheet may be attached to the opening defining portion of the film, and the first sheet portion may separate the first sheet and be attached to the second sheet during the first opening of the package. Alternatively, the first sheet may have a removed portion defining the opening, and the second sheet may be disposed over the opening (in which the first sheet portion has been removed). Going to go τιι-% ίγ ....... «

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second sheet can be attached to the first sheet u of the known adhesives. For example, the portions of the second sheet may be permanently attached to the first sheet, with only the portion of the second sheet defining the resealable fin that is resealable attached to the first sheet. In other embodiments, the second sheet may be bonded to the first sheet entirely with resealable adhesive. Any known method can be used to bond the sheets of film.

Referring to Figure 72, the opening panel region 620 may have the first and second boundaries 626a, 626b that are configured to define the first and second edges of the package opening panel. The second sheet 618 may overlap with one or both of the first and second boundaries 626a, 626b and extend beyond the boundary and secure to the first sheet on opposite sides of the boundary along one or more walls of the package. For example, the second sheet 614 may extend substantially a full length and width of opposite walls 624c, 624d of the package. In alternative embodiments, the second sheet 616 can be provided to partially extend over one or more container walls 624. The second sheet can also be provided to extend along one or more side edges of the package, which can increase the strength and rigidity of the package. In one modality, the second sheet is arranged along each of the four limits that define the panel of τ »go ίγ% go to · ...............- Μ

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I VI i! · Α · ν^:: ’*^!Ο Λ. A 'AAA fg ................ .jtMJl opening 620 as well as along four bor package. When combined with the reduced resistance lines of the second sheet (described below) such as an arrangement it can allow the film to essentially self-mount in a box in a pop-up box type arrangement. Reduced resistance lines may include perforations and / or score lines.

Without attempting to be bound by theory, it is believed that one or more lines of reduced resistance on the second sheet 616 in various regions of the second sheet at the boundaries of the panels and walls, corresponding to the edges and corners of the package, they reduce the flexural strength of the second sheet such that the second sheet will bind the first sheet in a folded orientation in which the edges and corners (corresponding to the location perforation) are preferably formed and held in the folded orientation, with minimal application of a folding force. That is, the edges of the opening panel and the side edges of the package can preferentially form the flat sheet material based on the incorporation of the second perforated sheet material along these regions. This may advantageously provide a package having well defined edges, as well as improved resistance to breakage when a load is applied against one of the walls and particularly in the opening panel region.

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I ιVI II β® * ίί | Β *^: ΊΟ Λ- Α'Λ- Λ. A .................. Referring to Figure 90, in var the second sheet 616 may extend over a top panel and into a fold formed in the side wall of the package . Figure 91 illustrates a package defined by the film design illustrated in Figure 90. Figure 92 illustrates an embodiment of the package in which the opening and resealable flap is provided on the front panel. In the embodiments of Figures 91 and 92, the second sheet is illustrated as extending over the entire top wall, front wall, and rear walls. It should be understood that the second sheet could be arranged on only the portions of any of the respective walls. For ease of reference, the reference numbers in Figures 91 and 92 generally refer to the portions of the second sheet as described below. The packages include opposite side walls 668 and each side wall includes a seal 667 (illustrated in Figure 93, for example) disposed along the side wall.

The folds are formed by folding portions of the first sheet internally towards the interior volume of the container such that the folding portions of the first sheet are arranged under the seal. The second sheet may include a fold portion 650 that extends within the pleats. As shown in Figure 90, the fold portion 650 can extend from an adjacent portion of the second sheet that extends over an adjacent wall. In the modality

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO fgg ......... | i |! | ¡| Il «iO shown in Figure 90, the fold portion is an upper wall portion of the second sheet and the upper wall portion includes the resealable fin 623 defined here. However, it is contemplated that opening 620 and the corresponding resealable flap may be provided on a different wall of the package, eg, the front or rear wall, or may be provided along multiple walls of the package. The fold portion 650 extends from the top wall portion 652, with the boundary between the fold portion and the top wall portion, the edge being between a side wall of the container and the top wall of the container. The second sheet includes one or more lines of reduced strength at or adjacent to the boundaries between the fold portion and the top wall portion of the second sheet. Figure 90 illustrates a single reduced resistance line 653 at each of the boundaries between the top wall portion 652 and the fold portions 650.

Figure 72 similarly illustrates an embodiment in which the container includes at least one fold and the second sheet includes at least one folded portion 636 that is adjacent to an opening panel region boundary and / or a 638 boundary of at least one wall region 624c. The fold region of the fold is configured to be folded inward to define an edge of the wall or panel of the package. Flexible film that may include a portion of the second sheet (eg, separated from other portions of the second sheet) 634 - - _ _τ , ω I ιι η 1J I Οϊ

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636. As described above, the fold folding region portion of the second sheet may include a reduced strength line 639 in the boundary region 638 to facilitate folding the flexible fold fold film. The foldable folding region of the second sheet can provide improved rigidity of the package edge at the fold of the fold, which in turn can provide improved rigidity to the panel or wall of the package adjacent to the fold fold. In some embodiments, the second sheet can be provided as a single continuous sheet that extends through the opening panel region and the fold fold regions. For example, the flexible material may be folded into the package such that the fold-fold regions are provided at the boundaries of the opening panel region. For example, the reduced resistance line 653 adjacent the fold portion can include perforations and / or score lines. As used herein, score lines refer to one or more continuous or discontinuous lines (linear or non-linear) that penetrate through a defined portion of the thickness, which is expressed here as a percentage of penetration through the thickness. In the fold region, perforations may include approximately 50% to approximately 100% of cut openings or scoring lines that have approximately 50% to 100% penetration through the thickness of the second sheet to facilitate ττ τι r τ » τ · ..... Ο

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ΙΝ5ΤΠΉΤ0 MEXICAN 1J »......... Bi! If | l &lt;* liO the folding of the fold portion and proportion defined. As used here, "cut opening percentage" refers to the percentage of the perforated line that is cut. Perforations include cuts and bridges between adjacent cuts, a 50% percent cut opening, for example, refers to a perforation that has cuts and bridges of equal length such that 50% of the length of the perforation is cut and 50% of the drilling length are bridges. 80% cut opening, for example refers to perforations that have cuts that are longer in length than bridges, such that 80% of the total length of the perforation is cut and 20% of the total length of drilling are bridges. Another suitable percentage of perforation cut openings or percent penetration of score lines for reduced strength lines

653 adjacent to the fold include approximately 50% to

<td>approximately</td><td> 99%,</td><td>approximately</td><td> 60%</td><td>to</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 95%,</td><td>approximately</td><td> 55%</td><td>to</td>

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<td>approximately</td><td> 99%,</td><td>approximately</td><td> 75%</td><td>to</td>

about 90%. The percent cut opening may for example be about 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90 , 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100%. The percentage of perforation or reduction in thickness of the reduction line that have perforations and / or scoring lines may depend on the thickness of the second sheet.

For second sheets having a high thickness above 10 thousandths of an inch, a high degree of reduction in resistance at the reduced resistance line may be required to allow for folding preference! of the first and second sheets in the folds.

As noted above, the reduced strength lines facilitate folding of the first and second sheets during the folding operation and advantageously provides a well defined edge for the top wall of the folded portion. Without the inclusion of a reduced resistance line, it can be difficult to form folds if not impossible, depending on the total thickness of the first and second sheets. Furthermore, while with relatively thin materials such folding can be achieved, there are frequently defects, such as dents, in the folded regions because the flexible material resists folding. It has been advantageously determined that the inclusion of the reduced resistance line on the second sheet at the boundary between the fold part and the upper wall portion induces the first sheet to preferably form an edge along the reduced resistance line to form a well-defined edge. As described in detail below, it has been unexpectedly found that selective placement of reduced resistance lines at various package boundaries, including the boundary adjacent to the fold portion, as described above, may allow the first sheet to fold τ '»¡R τντ .................. Ο

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO | jW ......... (lliiJIí'JO preferably in the configuration of the p including for the formation of a contoured package without the need to load the packaging formation equipment. This is an advantage since it avoids the needs for expensive modification package formation equipment, such as seal bars, and sometimes associated with adjusting package formation equipment for each flexible package configuration.

Referring to Figure 72, in any one embodiment where the second sheet 416 overlaps a container boundary or edge, the second sheet 616 may further include a reduced resistance line 430a, 430b, or perforation in the portion of the second sheet 416 that overlaps the boundary or edge. The reduced resistance line 630a, 630b can be defined by one or more reduced resistance paths or lines, for example, two reduced resistance paths arranged on opposite sides of the boundary or edge. As described above, the extension of the second sheet overlaps with one or more limits and even extends beyond the limit can beneficially consolidate a corner or edge of the package when it is formed. The reduced strength line makes it easy to fold the first and second sheets secured in the edge region and can assist in defining a sharp or curved edge of the package that has improved rigidity. This can also help define the shape of the packaging, and in some embodiments can help the film to preferably form in the mounting form during processing.

As illustrated in Figures 72 and 73A-73B, the extent of the second sheet to overlap with the boundaries of one region can be provided in any of the regions of the film that include the aperture panel region and one or more regions. wall. Figures 72 and 73A-73B illustrate an embodiment in which the second sheet is secured to the first sheet in the opening panel region and two adjacent wall regions. In this embodiment, the second sheet overlaps and extends beyond the boundaries 626a, 626b, 628a, 628b, of the opening panel region and the wall regions. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 72 and 73A-73B, the second additional sheet extends around the edges of the container, partially extending on the side walls of the package. The second sheet is configured not to extend to and interfere with lead and drag seals.

The second sheet can be superimposed substantially along the full length of the boundaries and / or edges. Alternatively, the sheet may overlap with only a portion of the boundaries and / or edges in one or more of the regions. Additionally, the second sheet may overlap with the opposite boundaries 626a 626b and 628a and 628b of the region. If desired, however, the second sheet may overlap with the only limit.

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Referring to Figure 90, the second sheet may also include the lines of reduced strength at or adjacent to other boundaries between portions of the second sheet, corresponding to the edges of the container. For example, Figure 90 illustrates an embodiment in which the second sheet includes the first and second front portions 654, 656 which extend through at least a portion of the front and rear walls of the container. The first and second face portions 654, 656 extend from the upper wall portion 652. The respective boundary between the first and second face portions 654, 656 and the upper wall portion 652 may also include one or more lines of resistance. reduced 658 on the second sheet at or adjacent to the boundary. Reduced strength lines 658 can assist in providing well-defined side edges on the top wall and other package walls as well. However, reduced strength lines 658 reduce the stiffness of the second sheet in the boundary edge region, which can reduce the overall stiffness of the package, when for example the package is held by a user on or near the top wall whose reduced resistance lines are provided. Stiffness reduction is a concern with flexible packaging as the package may tend to contract or dent during handling or holding by a user if it is not stiff enough, it may make it difficult to use the package. It has been determined

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Advantageously, resistance lines may be provided on the second label at the side edges of the top wall or at another side edge held by the user by controlling the degree of resistance reduction in the reduced resistance line. For example, in the clamping region, for example the reduced strength lines 658 illustrated in Figure 90, it may include perforations that have about 1 to about 50% cut openings or score lines that have about 1% to 50% penetration through the thickness of the second sheet to facilitate folding of the folding portion and provide a well defined edge. Other suitable cut-off opening percentages and / or penetration percentages include about 5% to about 50%, about

10% to approximately

40%, approximately

20% approximately

30%, approximately

20% approximately

50% and approximately

10% about 50%. The cut opening percentages and / or can be, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9,

10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50%. The percentage of cut openings and / or the percentage of penetrations will vary depending on the thickness of the second sheet. For example, if the second sheet is thick, for example, having a thickness greater than 10 thousandths of an inch,

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO fig ............. Β ·· 6 * · Ο then high opening percentages of co can be used to facilitate the folding of the relatively thick sheet, which by virtue of its thickness will keep enough stiffness to resist denting or collapse when package is clamped. Thinner second sheets, for example, second sheets having a thickness of less than about 10 thousandths of an inch may require low cut or score opening percentages to maintain sufficient strength of the package in the clamping region.

In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the first reduced strength lines 653 disposed at the boundary between the fold portions 650 and an adjacent wall portion (eg, an upper wall portion 650) may have a percentage cut-off opening or percentage penetration of the score lines that is greater than the percentage cut-off opening or percentage penetration of the score lines of a second line of reduced resistance arranged in a clamping region, for example reduced strength lines 658 disposed between the upper wall portion 650 and the front and rear wall portions 654, 656. By selectively punching or scoring as described above, a package can be provided in which the first sheet defining the package walls is preferentially folded into the package configuration, while maintaining sufficient strengths in various regions of the ir ar τ »τ ..............- Ο

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Still referring to Figure 90, the second sheet may include side wall portions 660 that extend to the respective side walls of the container and extend from the first and second face portions 654, 656 of the second sheet. The side wall portions 660 can be dimensioned so that they do not extend into a region of the first sheet that is sealed to form the seals provided on the side walls. In some embodiments, one or more of the side wall portions 660 may extend to the seal, but not to the seal. In such embodiments, the seal can be folded over and sealed to one of the side wall portions. One or more of the side wall portions may alternatively terminate at an edge that separates away from the seal, such that the seal can be sealed to a portion of the first sheet that defines the side wall. In still other embodiments, one or both of the seals may remain extending outward from the side wall. In such embodiments, one or both of the seals can include, for example, a defined opening in a portion of the seal, such that the seal can act as a handle, and the user can grasp it through the opening.

The second sheet may be configured such that terminals of the side wall portions 662 and the fold portion points 664 fall along the same line. Said τ »r τ» τ ............... Ο

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the second sheet to the first sheet and ensure that the registration of the second sheet and the first sheet are maintained during the folding process of the package.

The second sheet may include one or more reduced strength lines 666 disposed at or adjacent the boundary between the side wall portions and the adjacent face portions, corresponding to the edges of the container between the front and / or rear wall and a from the side walls. The reduced strength line can include perforations that have any suitable percentage of cut openings and / or score lines that have any suitable percentage penetration. For example, if one or more of the reduced strength retentions are provided in a container holding region, there may be advantages to having a lower percentage of cut openings or percent penetration as described above.

In one embodiment, the reduced resistance line 666 at or adjacent to the boundary between the side wall portions and the face portions includes perforations that have a percent cut opening and / or score lines that have a percentage of penetration that is equal to those of the reduced resistance line 658 between the upper wall portion and the face portions. In another embodiment, the reduced resistance line 666 at or adjacent to the boundary between the portions of τ '»r τντ I ii n U IΟϊ

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Λ Α '* * * ||| g3 side wall and face portions include (have a percent cut aperture and / or score lines that have a penetration percentage that is equal to that of the reduced resistance line 653 at or adjacent to the boundary of the fold portion. In yet another embodiment, the reduced resistance line 666 at or adjacent to the boundary between the side wall portions and the face portions includes perforations that have a percent cut opening and / or score lines that have a percentage of penetration that is greater than those of the reduced resistance line 658 between the upper wall portion and the face portions, but less than those of the reduced resistance line 653 at or adjacent to or at the fold portion boundary.

As with the reduced resistance lines described above, the percentage of cuts and / or penetration can vary depending on the thickness of the material.

It has been found advantageous that by selectively punching or scoring the second sheet in a controlled manner, a package can be provided in which the first sheet defining the plurality of package walls can be induced by the second sheet and preferably controlled perforations they fold into the package settings. Additional controlled punching or scoring as described above in the various regions of the second sheet may allow such preferential folding while maintaining

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AA t Λ. ||| g ........., «^ 1® stiffness and even improve stiffness for durability, stability and improved usability.

As discussed above, it is unexpectedly found that the controlled application of reduced resistance nonlinear lines in select regions of the second sheet can contour the shape of the package, without the need for specialized package forming equipment to impart the contour shape.

Figure 93 illustrates one embodiment of a contoured package. Figure 94 illustrates the film layer of the first and second sheets corresponding to the contoured package of Figure 93. As illustrated in Figures 93 and 94, the reduced resistance line formed on the second sheet between the boundary between the wall portions lateral and portions of face curl. The curvature of the reduced resistance line 666 in these regions will induce the first sheet to pack edges preferably having a substantially similar curvature. The curvature of the side walls 668 can also be controlled using the second sheet. For example, as illustrated in Figure 93, the side walls 667 curve inward. Said curvature can be achieved, for example, by forming the side wall portions 660 of the second sheet having a terminal edge 670 which has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the reduced resistance line 666. In the embodiment of the Figures 93 and 94, the second sheet is provided with two opposite side portions extending from the adjacent ends of the first face portion 654 (arranged on the front panel). Each lateral portion 660 terminates at a curved edge 670. The curvature of the curved edge 670 may be similar to, or equal to, for example, the curvature of the reduced resistance lines 666. The second face portion 656, which is disposed on the wall Rear includes opposing end edges 672 which have a curvature that is the same as the curvature of the reduced resistance lines 666 and correspond in place of the reduced resistance lines 666. Alternatively, the second face portion 656 may include side portions, as with the first face portion, and reduced resistance lines having a curvature may be provided on the second sheet at the boundary between the second face portion and the side portions. , as with the first portion of face. The embodiment of Figures 93 and 94 do not include a fold portion. However, said portions may optionally be included in this or any of the described modalities.

Figure 94 also illustrates an embodiment in which bottom panel 674 includes an optional backing sheet 676. Backing sheet 676 may be similar to the second sheet and may optionally be attached or detached (as shown in Figure) from the second sheet. The backing sheet can be removed on the outside of the first sheet or the inside of the first sheet. The sheet ττ τι r τ »τ. - Ο

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I iVl 11 tMWg * ”RO A JL 1 Λ. Λ. A | g_................. / ΛΟΙ reinforcement may optionally be dimensional only in the region of the bottom wall. Additionally, a third sheet may be provided on the inside or outside of the first sheet, as described above, to provide additional reinforcement. The third sheet, when provided in a region corresponding to the second sheet, can be similarly perforated or dotted for preferential folding of the first sheet.

Figures 95 and 96 (package and film design respectively) illustrate another embodiment of a contoured package. In the embodiment of Figures 95 and 96, the reduced resistance lines 666, 678 are provided as mirror images of the boundary between the side wall portions and the face portions, with a reduced resistance line extending in the face portion and a reduced resistance line extending within the side wall portion. As illustrated in Figure 95, the imaging lines in the reduced strength mirror provide an outline package that has sidewall shapes that are different from those illustrated in Figure 93, thus illustrating the ability of controlled drilling and selective scoring of the section sheet in the package outline control. In the embodiment of Figure 95, the side walls include two angled portions and a flat portion rise above the angled portions, the flap portion that has the seal.

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Figures 97 and 98 illustrate other film designs to achieve preferential folding of a first sheet in a contoured package configuration.

Other configurations and contours are contemplated and can be achieved by modifying the curvature of the reduced resistance line at the boundary between the side wall portions and the face portions, the shape of the terminal edge of the side wall portion and / or secondary lines of reduced resistance including in the side wall portion. Additionally, one or more of the regions described as having reduced strength lines could alternatively also be mechanically wrinkled before folding the first sheet in the package configuration.

The characteristics described above, including the percentage of cuts or penetration of the different lines of reduced resistance that can be included in the second sheet are applicable to contoured packages, too.

Any of the above package configurations may include a tab 617. The tab can extend to or beyond an adjacent edge of the easy-hold container. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to detach the tab at a distance away from an edge of the container, for example at least about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches, about 0.05 inches to about 0.8 inches, about 0.4 to τ&gt; r τη τ _ « ·&gt; ................. tt

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MEXICAN INSTTTIXTO ......... 1 | SsJIii * 1O approximately 0.6, and approximately 0.9 inches from the edge of the container. Other spacings include, for example, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, and 0.1 inches. Such spacing may be advantageous if the tab extends adjacent a reduced resistance line on the second sheet. Such spacing can help maintain resistance at the edge that has the reduced resistance line. The extension of the tongue to or beyond the reduced resistance line, however, is also contemplated.

In any of the above embodiments, the second sheet may include openings or otherwise be dimensioned such that the second sheet does not extend over one or more of the corners of the package. For example, Figure 90 illustrates a film layout in whose corner reliefs 678 are provided at each of the four corners of the top panel. 678 corner reliefs can be provided at any number of corners of the package. Corner relief 678 is arranged such that second sheet 616 is arranged around and not over one or more corners. While the corners can be formed with the second sheet 616 that is arranged in the corner regions, such corners may be sharp and unpleasant for the user when holding the container.

In one embodiment, the opening is arranged in the front wall

Posterior or later and arranged such that the tab is resealable flap toward a bottom panel of the package. The bottom panel may optionally include a 677 corner seal, for

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Example, as illustrated in Figure 95. In such embodiments, the extension of the tab toward corner seal 676 may allow a user to adjust corner seal 676 and tab 617 when opening the package to provide better grip of the package when package is opened.

Flexible materials for the formation of flexible containers

A flexible material 400 to form a flexible package 400 includes an opening panel region 420 that is configured to define a package panel that has an opening to access the internal volume of the package (also known herein as an opening panel). For ease of reference, Figures 30A-D and 50-51 illustrate the features formed 422 in the opening panel region 420 that correspond to the closure assembly. It should be understood that the formed feature need not be included in the flexible material 400 and can be formed during the formation of the package, as described herein. Flexible material 400 may further include one or more wall regions 424 that are configured to define one or more walls of the flexible package, including, for example, one or more side wall and / or a bottom wall.

The flexible material can be provided as a network of material capable of forming a plurality of packages, which

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can be rolled on a roll of fle material&gt;

Flexible may include a plurality of opening panel regions and optionally a plurality of discretely spaced wall regions along a longitudinal direction of the flexible material, wherein the plurality of opening panel regions and the plurality of wall regions comprises the first sheet. That is, the first sheet may be a common sheet material extending between each of the plurality of regions configured to be folded or formed in the plurality of packages. The flexible material may further include a plurality of second sheets and / or third sheets in the opening panel regions and the wall regions as described below.

The flexible material includes a first sheet 414, which as described above is configured to form on the opening panel and provide an opening and / or can be configured to form on more walls of the first sheet 414. The opening panel region 420 and one or more wall regions 424 comprise first sheet 414. Flexible material 400 may further include a second sheet 416 that is secured to first sheet 414 in aperture panel region 420. In various embodiments, the second sheet or at least its portion is thermoformable.

As used herein the term insured refers to the bonding of one layer or sheet to another layer or sheet and may include layers

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ΙΝΜΠΤΙΕΤΟ Mexican fgjg ......... liB! ~ Ijiii »tO intermediates or adhesives. The layers or sheets can any of the known methods including adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, welding, pressing and combinations thereof. It should be understood here that unless otherwise specified, sheets or layers may be secured in whole or in part to another sheet or layer. The layers or sheets can be permanently secured or releasably secured. As used herein, the term "permanently secured" refers to a connection between two adjacent layers or sheets that requires at least partial destruction of one or both of the layers or sheets to separate the layers or sheets in the connection. As used herein, the term releasable secured refers to a connection between two adjacent layers or sheets such that the layers or sheets can be separated substantially without destruction. In some embodiments, two sheets can be resealable, meaning that the sheet layers can be separated and then re-secured without the application of an additional adhesive or seal.

The flexible material may further include a third sheet 418 secured to the first sheet 414 at least in the opening panel region 420. In one embodiment, the third sheet 418 is secured to the first sheet 414 and the second sheet 416 is secured to the third sheet 418. In another embodiment, the first sheet 414 is arranged between the second and third sheets 416, 418. As described in detail below, the third sheet go τι go go ......... ......- O

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418 may additionally or alternatively first sheet 414 in the one or more wall regions 424 of flexible sheet 400. Third sheet 418 may partially or fully overlap with the first sheet in aperture panel region 420 and / or one or more regions wall. For example, FIG. 50 illustrates an embodiment where the third sheet 418 completely overlaps with the first sheet in the opening panel region 420 and two adjacent wall regions 424a, 424b. Figure 51 illustrates an embodiment where the third sheet 418 only partially overlaps with the first sheet 414 in two adjacent wall regions 424a, 424b.

Referring to Figure 30B, which illustrates an opening panel region of the flexible material, the flexible material may include a line or reduced strength path 440 on the first sheet 414 of the opening panel region 420 which is configured to define the package opening. In embodiments in which flexible material 400 further includes a third sheet 418, a reduced resistance line or path may be provided on the third sheet to define the opening through the first and third sheets 414, 418. As used herein, The terms reduced resistance line and reduced resistance path are used interchangeably and may be straight, curved, or have any suitable shape. A line or path of reduced resistance can be formed in a flexible material or sheet using any method τ ir η τ ................ ir

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known including, for example, mechanical scoring or a similar process for perforation formation. Perforations can pierce the sheet or be provided without puncturing the sheet if desired.

The flexible material may further include a line or path of reduced strength 442 or a continuous cut defined on the second sheet 416 in the region of opening panel 420 which is configured to define a hinge 442 near which a cover 26 a closure assembly 22 of the package may or may rotate. Additional cuts or lines or paths of reduced resistance 444a, 444b can be provided on second sheet 416, if desired, to define the first and second projections 219a, 219b of the closure assembly as described in detail below. Cuts or trajectories or lines of reduced resistance for hinge (442) and projections 219a, 219b may be provided on the second sheet such that they do not overlap each other or with a line or path of reduced resistance 440 defining the package opening. This can help ensure that the package remains tightly closed before first use.

In various embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 50 and

51, the third sheet 418 may be a single sheet which extends through one or more regions of the flexible material, for example, the opening panel region 420 and one or more wall regions 25 424. In other embodiments, the third sheet 418 can be provided τ »r τ - ω I ιι η IJ I Οϊ

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE | [W ......... () 11111111 (0 as separate sheets superimposed with the first one or more regions of the flexible material. The third sheet may be between the limits 426a, 426b, 428a, 428b, of a region as illustrated in Figures 50, 51. Alternatively, the third sheet 418 may extend only partially on the face of a region and / or may be provided as separate sheets that overlap with the boundaries but are not contiguous. Figure 50 illustrates a third sheet portion 434 that extends only partially on the face of the region. As described in detail below, the third sheet portion 434 may in some embodiments be selectively positioned at a boundary in a collapsible fold region of the flexible material. In such embodiments, the third sheet portion 434 is also referred to herein as a fourth sheet 434. It should be understood here that in said modalities the fourth sheet may be of the same or different material as the third sheet.

Referring to Figures 50 and 51, in some embodiments, the flexible material may include the first 414, second 416, and third 418 sheets in the opening panel region 420. The opening panel region 420 may have first and second Limits 426a, 426b which are configured to define the first and second edges of the package opening panel. The third sheet 418 may be overlaid with one or both of the first and second limits 426a, 426b and optionally extend beyond the limit and be secured at

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the first sheet 414 on the opposite sides of the sheet 418 may further include a reduced resistance line 430a, 430b in the portion of the third sheet 418 that overlaps the boundary 426a, 426b. As shown in Figure 50, the reduced resistance line 430a, 430b can be defined by one or more reduced resistance paths or lines, for example, two reduced resistance paths arranged on opposite sides of the boundary. The extension of the third sheet 418 overlaps with one or more limits and even extends beyond the limit can beneficially consolidate a corner or edge of the package when it is formed. The reduced strength line facilitates flexing of the first and second sheets 414, 416 secured in the corner or edge region and can assist in defining a sharp or curved edge of the package that has improved rigidity. As described in detail hereinafter, this may also help define the shape of the packaging, and in some embodiments may assist the film preferentially in the package mounting shape defined during processing. As illustrated in Figure 50, the extension of the third sheet 418 to overlap with the boundaries of a region can be provided in any of the regions of the film that include the aperture panel region and one or more wall regions. Figure 50 illustrates an embodiment in which the third sheet 418 is secured to the first sheet 414 in the opening panel region 420 and two

101 adjacent wall regions 424a, 424b. On the third sheet, it overlaps and extends beyond the boundaries 426a, 426b, 428a, 428b of the opening panel region and the wall regions. In the embodiment of Figure 50, the third sheet 418 overlaps substantially along the entire length of the boundaries. As illustrated in Figure 51, the third sheet 418 may overlap with only a portion of the boundaries of one or more of the regions. Additionally, the third sheet may overlap with both opposite boundaries 426a and 426b and 428a and 428b of the region. If desired, however, the third sheet may overlap with the only limit.

In some embodiments, for example, for flexible materials for quadruple seal packages as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0312868, the flexible film may include at least one fold region 436 that is adjacent to a boundary of the opening panel region and / or a boundary 438 of at least one wall region 424c (as illustrated in Figure 50). The fold fold region is configured to be folded inward to define a wall or panel edge of the package. The flexible film that may include a fourth sheet 434 secured to the first sheet in fold region 436. As described above with the third sheet, the fourth sheet may include a reduced resistance line 439 in the boundary region 438 to facilitate folding the flexible film into the

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Improved package edge at the fold fold, which in turn can provide improved rigidity to the package wall or panel adjacent the fold fold. In some embodiments, as noted above, the third sheet 418 can function as the fourth sheet 434 and be arranged in the fold-fold region. For example, the flexible material can be folded into the package so that the fold fold regions are provided at the boundaries of the opening panel region. Extending the third sheet 418 beyond the limit as illustrated in Figure 50 may result in the third sheet 418 extending into and supporting the fold fold, as described with respect to the fourth sheet 434.

The film may include any suitable printing and / or graphics. For example, all or portions of the film can be colored. Referring to Figure 31, in one embodiment, the film can be colored such that a portion of the film remains transparent or translucent to provide a window for viewing the product contained herein. The graphic design for pattern and / or coloring on the film can be adapted based on the package settings and graphics to be displayed on the package. In embodiments where a closure assembly is formed on the cap, the graphic design illustrated in Figure 47 can be used when the cap forming process is performed on the forming tube side. In other modalities

103

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The first sheet

The first sheet 414 can be of any suitable thickness,

<td colspan="4">and the thickness can be a uniform thickness or it can</td><td>to vary. In</td>

<td>various modalities, the</td><td>first</td><td>sheet</td><td colspan="2">414 has a nominal thickness</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>1 mils</td><td>to</td><td>approximately</td><td>10 mils,</td>

<td>about 3</td><td>mils</td><td>to</td><td>approximately</td><td>9 mils,</td>

<td>about 4</td><td>mils</td><td>to</td><td>approximately</td><td>8 mils,</td>

<td>about 5</td><td>mils</td><td>to</td><td>approximately</td><td>7 mils,</td>

<td colspan="2">about 2 mils to</td><td colspan="3">approximately 6 mils. Others</td>

<td>nominal thicknesses</td><td colspan="2">suitable</td><td>include, for</td><td>example,</td>

<td>about 1, 2,</td><td> 3, 4, 5</td><td> , 5.1</td><td> , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.</td><td> 5, 5.6, 5.7,</td>

5.8, 5.9, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mils. As used herein, the term nominal thickness refers to the thickness of a film or sheet material, not including the ink or adhesive layers.

Exemplary materials suitable for use as the first sheet 414 include, but are not limited to, a laminate of

104

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150 empty polypropylene ga, 120 ga ac

2,875 thousand of coex including ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) (12321.302W), a 150 ga cast polypropylene laminate, 76 ga formable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and 3.05 thousand high clarity polyethylene, a 140 ga laminate of biaxially oriented polypropylene, 92 ga of PET and 3.5 thousand of high clarity polyethylene. The laminate layers can be bonded together using any of the appropriate adhesives. The thicknesses mentioned in this paragraph are nominal thicknesses of the laminate layers. As the desired inks for coloring or applying graphics to the film they can be applied between the laminate layers or they can be applied to an exposed surface of the film.

The material can be selected based on the product to be incorporated here. For example, for salty foods, the packaging film material generally provides one or more of a moisture barrier to keep food fresh, an oxygen barrier to reduce the rancidity of oils that are often used as ingredients or auxiliaries of cooking for the product, and a light barrier to reduce the presence of light in the package, which for some products may cause or increase the rancidity of the product. Figure 69 illustrates a number of exemplary modalities of two layer and three layer films suitable for use with various modalities of description.

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The first sheet may be polypropylene providing good moisture barrier properties. Polypropylene can be metallized to improve moisture barrier properties, as well as provide oxygen barrier properties and reduce light transmission. Other exemplary materials include, for example, polyesters, such as PET and nylons, such as polyamides.

As described above the first sheet can be a composite or laminated structure. For example, in some 10 embodiments, the first sheet material may include a polyethylene as a tie or bond layer between two layers of polypropylene. Such layers can enhance the film's ability to resist tear or tear propagation. Senators can also be used in the movie. The 15 sealants can be supplied as co-extrusions (i.e. as distinct layers within a film), blends (blends of polymers in a single coat), and combinations thereof. Suitable sealants include linear low-density polyethylene, ultra low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, metallocene, plastomer, hexene, butene polyethylenes, and combinations thereof. Other sealants include copolymers of EVA, SURLYN® (ionomers) and ethylene methacrylic acid (EMA) and ethylene acrylic acid (EAA).

Additional coatings or structures can be added to the raw material or laminate of the first sheet to

106 improve desired properties. For example,

<img file="MX360503B_D0012.tif" />

fe can be coated on the first sheet material to improve oxygen barrier properties. The acrylic coating can be applied to the first sheet material to provide the desired surface energy and characteristics to improve the efficiency of film processing in a packaging machine.

The second sheet

The second sheet can be formed from materials such as polypropylene (PP), ethyl vinyl alcohol, polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), EVA copolymers, covers (eg aluminum foil ), paper, polyester (PET), nylon or polyamide (PA) and laminates and mixed compounds thereof.

In various embodiments, the second sheet may be a resealable label. For example, the resealable tag may be as described in US Patent Nos. 6,113,271, 6,918,532, 7,344,744, 7,681,732, and 8,182,891, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, resealable label 20 may be formed by delamination of a network of pressure sensitive film, eg, biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP), having a resealable pressure sensitive adhesive, from a release liner. Other suitable materials for the resealable label include, for example, EarthFirst® polylactic acid (PLA), BOPP

107 (eg clear or white), polystyrene (F terephthalate (PET). Any other known resealable label materials may also be used. The resealable label may also include any known pressure sensitive adhesive, including, but not limited to, Emulsion acrylic and solvent acrylic Suitable labels are commercially available as well, such as labels from Avery Dennison R5195 and R5423 and Flexcon V-312, V-314 and V-233.

The second sheet can be of any suitable thickness. For example, the second sheet may have a nominal thickness in the range of about 1 mils to about 30 mils, about 1 mils to about 15 mils,

<td>approximately</td><td> 2</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 10</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 3</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 7</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 4</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 10</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 7</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 12</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 10</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 30</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 1</td><td>mils</td><td>to approximately</td><td> 10</td><td>mils,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 11</td><td>mils</td><td>to about 25</td><td colspan="2">mils, or</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 1</td><td>mils to</td><td>about 8m</td><td>ils.</td><td>Others</td>

<td colspan="2">nominal thicknesses</td><td colspan="2">Suitable include, for</td><td colspan="2">example,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td> 1, 2</td><td> , 3, 4,</td><td colspan="2"> 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,</td><td> 13, 14,</td>

<td> 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,</td><td> 20,</td><td> 21, 22,</td><td> 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29</td><td>and^:</td><td>30 mils.</td>

<td>In a modality</td><td>, the</td><td>second</td><td>The sheet is made up of ·</td><td> 10</td><td>mils of</td>

PET (nominally thick). In some modalities, the second

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO 1¾ ......... ΒΙΒ · 1ί · «· ΐΟ sheet can be adhered to the first sheet such that portion of the second sheet is resealable in an adhesive way to the first sheet. For example, a portion of the second sheet can be attached to the second sheet using a resealable adhesive. In one embodiment, a portion of the second sheet is permanently adhered to the first sheet such that the second sheet cannot be completely removed from the first sheet. As used herein the term "permanently attached" refers to the bond between the sheets that cannot be broken without at least partial destruction of at least one of the sheets.

In other embodiments, the second sheet is not resealable adhered to the first sheet, but with at least a portion of the second sheet being detached from the first sheet. For example, the second sheet may be adhered to the first sheet such that the second sheet has a peel force in a range of 500 to 1200 grams / inch when peeled from the cast polypropylene film. The cast polypropylene film may, for example, have a surface energy in a range of about dynes / cm about dynes / cm, about dynes / cm about dynes / cm, about dynes / cm about dynes / cm, about dynes / cm about dynes / cm, approximately dynes / cm approximately dynes / cm and approximately dynes / cm to approximately 50 dynes / cm. Other energies

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33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 dynes / cm. The second sheet is selected and adhered to the first sheet such that there is no residual adhesion once the package is opened and at least a portion of the second sheet is pulled away from the first sheet. In some embodiments, the portions of the adhesive used to adhere the second sheet to the first sheet can be cushioned, for example by the use of a varnish or lacquer, in regions where it is desirable or to include an adhesive. For example, the adhesive regions can be cushioned to facilitate opening of the package and to reduce the resistance needed to open a package. In some embodiments, the second sheet adheres to the first sheet using an adhesive, and peels off the second sheet from the first sheet, there is no transfer of adhesive to the first sheet. In some embodiments, for example, when a fresh or wet product is stored in the package, a moisture resistant adhesive can be used to adhere the first and second sheets. For example, the moisture resistant adhesive may be an unbleached adhesive. As used herein the term unbleached adhesive refers to adhesives that are not aesthetically changed when in contact with water or moisture. As described in detail below, the package may further include a third sheet attached to the first sheet in the region of the opening. The third sheet can add

110 stability to the region on the

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of the package in this region. In one embodiment, the third sheet is applied to the first sheet on a surface opposite the surface to which the second sheet is applied.

sheet is applied to a surface of sheet is applied to a surface of the

In another embodiment, the third the first sheet and the second third sheet.

The third sheet

The third sheet can be formed from materials such as polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl alcohol, polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), EVA copolymers, foil (for example, paper aluminum), paper, polyester (PET), nylon (poly amide) and laminates and their mixed compounds.

The third sheet can be of any suitable thickness. For example, the third sheet may have a thickness in the range of about mils about mils, about mils about mils, about mils about mils, about mils about 10 mils, or about mils to about 12 mils. Other suitable thicknesses include,

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, for example, about 1, 2,

13, 14 and 15 mils. In one embodiment, the third sheet is made of 10 mils of PET. In another embodiment, the third sheet is formed of a laminate of PLA and EVOH and is 7 mils thick.

111

The third sheet can be attached to the prin

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any of the permanent adhesion methods such as heat sealing, application of permanent adhesives.

Depending on product use, including the first, second, and third sheets, any of the adhesives or inks used here can be formed with FDA compliant materials.

Union divided into zones

In various embodiments, the second sheet may be adhered to the first sheet (or in some embodiments, a third sheet disposed on the portion of the first that defines the outer portion of the package) using zoned adhesion. For example, the overprint varnish (buffering agent) can be printed on a heat sealable layer, for example, a cast polypropylene, from 0% to 100% spray levels, for example, in 10% increments. For example, 10% or 20% or 30% etc., of the surface to project (or cover) 100% of the surface with the buffering agent. A plastic covering film can be sealed to the various samples. Breakout force can be measured. Samples can be sealed at 300 ° F, 1.0 second dwell at various OPV coverage areas for the purposes of measuring peel strength. Some exemplary coatings and breakout force are illustrated below.

112 &gt; »» I

»

<td>Overprint varnish cover (%)</td><td>Breakout Force (gms)</td><td>Description</td>

<td> 0</td><td> 1350</td><td>Sealed-fragmentable-removable</td>

<td> 10</td><td> 1560</td><td>Sealed-fragmentable-removable</td>

<td> 20</td><td> 1660</td><td>Sealed-fragmentable-removable</td>

<td> 30</td><td> 1510</td><td>Sealed-fragmentable-removable</td>

<td> 40</td><td> 1710</td><td>Sealed-fragmentable-removable</td>

<td> 50</td><td> 1380</td><td>Medium - (sealable-fragmentable-peelable) and medium peelable</td>

<td> 60</td><td> 1130</td><td>Not sealed - removable</td>

<td> 70</td><td> 800</td><td>Not sealed - removable</td>

<td> 80</td><td> 310</td><td>Not sealed - removable</td>

<td> 90</td><td> 180</td><td>Not sealed - removable</td>

<td> 100</td><td> 80</td><td>Not sealed - removable</td>

60% coverage of a buffering agent can provide a significant decrease in bond strength. Varying the percent and zoning percent coverage of a damping agent can allow variations in breakout force of more than 100 gms to as low as 80 gms.

The adhesion between the first and second sheets can be defined by an adequate number of zones, with each zone having a different level of adhesion. For example, in one embodiment, the second sheet may be bonded to the first sheet using two bonding zones. A first zone can be defined by the region that is arranged inside the edge of the opening - which is the region in which the portion of the first sheet is separated and is

113

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ΜΡΙ

INSTjTUTO ΜΕΧΟ'ΝΌ designed to remain attached to the second package. The second zone may be defined by the region disposed outside the edge of the opening and to which the second sheet reseals the first sheet and / or where the closure assembly provides a mechanical seal between the structures formed in the first and second sheets to close the package again. In various embodiments, the first zone may have greater adhesion than the second zone to facilitate opening of the package. In some embodiments, such embodiments having a mechanical seal, the second zone may be a region of substantially no chemical adhesion between the first and second sheets, relying instead on the mechanical seal. For example, the second zone may be covered with a damping agent or varnish to reduce or eliminate the adhesive properties of an adhesive that is applied to adhere the second sheet to the first sheet in the first area. This can eliminate the need to selectively apply the adhesive and can facilitate the manufacturing process. Zoned adhesion can be done with cured sealing techniques, selective application of cushioning agents, and / or selective application of adhesives. An exemplary damping agent is Sun Chemical Opt-T-Flex overprint varnish.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 30A-30D, adhesion can be provided in three adhesive zones. For example, the first and second sheets stick to an area that defines a

114 portion of the second sheet that is configured adhered to a portion of the first sheet when opening the package. A zone may be defined in an overlapping portion provided in a region of the opening, within the edge of the opening, where the second sheet adheres to a portion of the first sheet surrounding the opening to provide a watertight seal despite the Perforations provided on the first sheet to define the opening. The overlapping portion is dimensioned such that a sufficient seal is provided between the first and second sheets to retain a watertight seal despite perforations in the first sheet used to define the opening and the second sheet is capable of separating from the first sheet in the portion overlapping the opening of the package for the first time when a portion of the first sheet is separated at the perforations or other edge feature defining the opening. This area may have an adhesion property such that it is less than the adhesion between the first and second sheets in the first area, to facilitate opening of the package while maintaining a watertight seal. Another zone can be defined in a region arranged outside the edge of the opening. For example, this zone can be defined where the thermoforming characteristics are formed on the first and second sheets to define a closure assembly. This area cannot have substantial adhesion between the first and second sheets to further facilitate opening of the package.

115

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The second sheet can be adhered to using an adhesive. An adhesive zoning process may include applying a damping agent to the first sheet in the region where adhesion between the first and second sheets is not desired. An adhesive can then be applied to the entire second sheet and adhered to the first sheet. Buffering agents will remove the adhesive properties of the adhesive in the regions where it is applied, thereby zoning the adhesion without the need to apply the adhesive in a zoned manner. This can simplify the adhesive application process.

Selective application of the buffering agent or varnish can be achieved, for example, during the printing process to print graphics on the package. This can advantageously provide a quick process to define a reduced or damped adhesive area with high performance printing machines.

In some embodiments, selective application of an adhesive or different types of adhesives can be accomplished using a printing machine, such as for printing graphics on a film package.

In various embodiments, the flexible material may include the first second sheet secured to the first sheet in areas of the opening panel region. As described above, the third sheet can be interposed between the first and second sheets.

116 go to τ .................. Μ

I Λ Λ 1J I jlEΛ^-* .. ,,. ·! VI I VI i! ο^Α X »Λ Λ. JL fg, ^ ηοι sheets in some modalities. It is envisaged that the relative peel strengths described below with respect to securing the first sheet to the second sheet in the opening panel region are applied to the associated peel strengths to secure in place the second sheet to the third sheet. The peel force between the first and second sheets 414, 416 at the opening panel opening 420 can be defined by a suitable number of zones. Some of the zones may have different breakout forces. As used herein, the term peel strength refers to the bond strength of the bond between two sheets or layers. In embodiments where one sheet or layer is permanently secured to another sheet or layer, the peel force between the layers or sheets is infinite, which is greater than the structural strength of the laminate, as sheet or layer separation results in destruction one or both of the sheets or layers. In embodiments where two sheets or layers are mutually arranged, but not secured together, there is no peel force, which is described herein as a peel force of 0 gms / inch.

Referring to Figure 30A, for example, in one embodiment, the opening panel may include the first and second zones 446, 448. The first zone is adjacent to the second zone and in some embodiments directly adjacent

117 with each other without intervention zone (like

Figure 30A). A first portion of the first sheet is secured to a first portion of the second sheet in the first area, and a second portion of the first sheet is secured to a second portion of the second sheet in the second area. The peeling force between the first and second sheets in the first zone is greater than the peeling force between the first and second sheets in the second zone. For example, the peel force in the second zone can be from about 10% to about 60% of the peel force in the first zone. A portion of the second zone may be configured to thermoform to include the closure mounting features or other features formed as described herein. Figures 30A30D illustrate the features formed on a portion of the second sheet to illustrate the regions of the second sheet that can be configured to be thermoformed. It should be understood that such formed features need not be included in the flexible material prior to pack formation and can be formed while setting / forming the flexible material pack as described herein.

The first zone 446 may include at least the portion of the opening panel region configured to define the opening of the package. Referring to Figures 30A-30D, the opening panel region 420 includes an opening limit, which

118

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO f |! «Li | !! íMO can optionally be defined by the reduced line 440. The opening limit is an outer limit of the package opening. In various embodiments, the first zone 446 corresponds to an opening panel region portion in which the first sheet 414 is configured to remain attached to the second sheet 416. For example, when opening a package formed of flexible material 400, a portion of the first sheet may be separated from a remaining portion of the first sheet 414 at the opening boundary and remain secured to the second sheet 418 alο when opening the package. Additionally, as illustrated in Figure

30A, in some embodiments, first zone 446 may also include a rear opening panel lid region that is configured such that a lid of a package closure assembly remains secured in the rear lid region.

is As illustrated in Figure 30A, the first zone 446 may include portions of the aperture panel region disposed on opposite sides of the aperture boundary. Referring to Figure 30B, the first zone 446 may be arranged only within the opening limit. The first zone can have a peel force of at least 500 gms / inch. For example, the peel force in the first zone may be about 500 gms / inch to about 2000 gms / inch, about 600 gms / inch to about 1500 gms / inch, about 1000 gms / in to about 2000 gms / inch. Other forces

119 adequate detachment include approximate

<img file="MX360503B_D0016.tif" />

700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700,

1800, 1900 and 2000 gms / inches. In some embodiments, the first sheet is permanently secured to the second sheet in the first zone.

Referring to Figures 30A-30D, the second zone

448 it can be directly adjacent to the first zone. Second zone 448 generally includes a portion of the opening panel region configured to be thermoformed. For example, the second zone may include a thermoformed portion of the aperture panel region configured to have the second thermoformed coupling feature or channel here. The second zone can have a breakout force of approximately gms / inch approximately.

200 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch to approximately

175 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch to approximately

150 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch approximately

125 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch to approximately

100 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch to approximately

150 gms / inch, or about gms / inch about gms / inch.

Other suitable release forces include, for example,

0, approximately

5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,

50, 60, 70,

80,

120

90, 100, 125, 150, 175 or 200 gms / inch.

Referring to Figure 30A, for example, the first zone 446 may extend to a portion of the second sheet 416 that is configured to be thermoformed (referred to herein as thermoformed portion). As illustrated in Figure 30A, for example, the first zone 446 extends to the thermoformed portion of the opening panel region (illustrated in Figure 30A by the inclusion of the formed channel). The second zone 418 contains the thermoformed portion and a portion of the opening panel region that has the first sheet secured to the second sheet out of the thermoformed portion.

Referring again to Figure 30B, in some embodiments the second zone 448 may be disposed inward of the thermoformed portion up to the opening limit.

Referring to Figure 30C, in some embodiments, the opening panel region may include a third zone 452 disposed between the first and second zones 446, 448. For example, as illustrated in Figure 30C, the first zone 446 can be delimited in part by the opening limit, the third zone 452 can be arranged between the opening limit and the second zone 448. The third zone 452 may have a peel force that is less than the peel force in the first zone 446. Optionally, the third zone 452 may have a peel force that

121 the strength of the second zone.

The third zone can have a peel force of about 0 gms / inch

200 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch approximately

175 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch approximately

150 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch at

125 gms / inch, approximately gms / inch to approximately gms / inch.

include, for

35, 40, 45, gms / inch.

gms / inch

100 gms / inch, about 150 gms / inch,

Other example,

50,

60,

In several gms / inch at approximately breakout forces

0, about 5, 10, 15

70, 80,

90,

100, 125, 150, suitable

20,

175

25, 30,

200 modalities, the second zone

448 it can be arranged only in the thermoformed portion (i.e. where the second coupling feature is

A fourth outer fourth zone optionally the second zone

454 may have second zone 458, but

448 one can be provided formed region.

thermoformed region. Zone Force Force 446.

of detachment than that of

122

Figures 30A-D further illustrate a mor

<td>panel region</td><td>opening includes a</td><td>tongue region.</td><td>The</td>

<td colspan="3">tongue region can define a tongue region 450.</td><td>The</td>

<td>tongue area</td><td>can have a force</td><td>detachment</td><td>of</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>0 gms / inch to</td><td>approximately</td><td> 30</td>

<td>gms / inch,</td><td>about 0</td><td>gms / inch</td><td>to</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>5 gms / inch,</td><td>approximately</td><td> 1</td>

<td colspan="2">gms / inch to about</td><td colspan="2">10 gms / inch,</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>3 gms / inch to</td><td>approximately</td><td> 7</td>

<td>gms / inch,</td><td>about 10</td><td>gms / inch</td><td>to</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>30 gms / inch,</td><td>approximately</td><td> 15</td>

<td>gms / inch to</td><td colspan="2">about 20 gms / inch,</td><td>and</td>

<td>approximately</td><td>5 gms / inch to</td><td>approximately</td><td> 25</td>

gms / inch. Other suitable values ​​include, for example, about 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 , 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 gms / inch. In some embodiments, the second area may include the tongue area, in other embodiments, the second area may have a different release force than that of the tongue area 450.

In various embodiments in which the flexible material is configured to form a package having the first and second projections 219a, 219b in the closure assembly 22, the portion of the opening panel region in which the first and second projections ( illustrated in Figures 30A-30D as defined

123

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In some embodiments, such as embodiments that have a mechanical seal, the second zone 448 may be a region of substantially no chemical adhesion between the first and second sheets 414, 416, based instead on the mechanical seal. For example, second zone 448 may be coated with a damping agent or varnish to reduce or eliminate the adhesive properties of an adhesive that is applied to secure second sheet 416 to first sheet 414 in first zone 446. This can eliminate the need to selectively apply the adhesive and can facilitate the manufacturing process. Zoned adhesion can be done with heat sealing techniques, selective application of damping agents, and / or selective application of adhesives.

A zoning process for the adhesive in the aperture panel region may include applying adhesive to one or both of the first and second sheets. The process may include

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO W »......... iJSjJJí &lt;l | Q then apply damping agent to the primei in the region of the opening panel in an area where the reduced breakout force is desired. For example, a buffering agent can be applied in the second zone and optional third zone 5 at a coverage percentage of from about 50% to about 100% to achieve the desired breakout force in the second zone. As a further example, the damping agent can be applied at a coating percentage of 100% in the tongue area so as not to achieve the peeling force between the tongue on the second sheet and the first sheet in the tongue area. The damping agent reduces the release force when applied with the amount of reduction corresponding to the percentage of coating of the damping agent. The use of a damping agent 15 to achieve the desired release forces in the different zones can simplify the flexible material to do the process and avoid the need for the zone adhesive. The damping agents can be printed, for example, in a similar way to printing and graphic inks on a sheet material, which allows precise control over the location and coating percentage of the damping agent. In alternative modalities, an adhesive or sealing process can be applied / pre-formed in a zoned manner. For example, heat seals can be formed in the first zone to achieve the desired breakout force, while

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO | jW ......... BBIsJWlQ adhesives can be used in the optional se or fourth zones to achieve the desired release forces. In some embodiments, different adhesive chemistries result in different adhesion forces can be selectively applied to the regions to achieve the desired release forces.

Selective application of the damping agent or varnish can be done, for example, during the printing process for printing graphics on the package. This can advantageously provide a quick process to define a reduced or damped adhesive area with high performance printing machines.

In some embodiments, selective application of an adhesive or different types of adhesive can be accomplished using a printing machine, such as for graphic printing on a film package.

Any of the second, third, fourth, tongue and / or projection zones can have the first and second sheets secured using a sealing layer. In one embodiment, the sealing layer may be comprised of materials that contain compatible and incompatible polymers such as the surface of the second sheet that is adapted to contact the first sheet. The second sheet can be adhered to the sealing layer using known processes, such as, for example, heat sealing. When the package opens, the two

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE ......... (ΒΒβΒ® · 'β: € 3 adjacent surfaces detach apart and undergo the sealing process because the incompatible controlled polymer is chosen. In a second embodiment, the sealing layer The first sheet can be identical to the sealing layer on the second sheet.The second sheet can be adhered to the sealing layer using heat that melts and bonds the two surfaces. In this embodiment, one of the two sealing surfaces is designed to have only a thin layer of the polymer and only adjacent to it (away from the sealing interface) has a layer that is designed to break. This break allows the transfer of one polymeric surface to the other surface and through said transfer, the package is opened. In various embodiments, the flexible material, which includes the first sheet, the second sheet, and optionally the third sheet, can be thermoformed to form a closure assembly having a cap formed in the flexible material. In such embodiments, the flexible material must be adapted for thermoforming and has a desired heat transfer through the flexible material structure (ie, the second sheet, first sheet, and optional third sheet). In some embodiments of the forming process, the flexible material may be heated on one side, for example, the side of the flexible material that is disposed on the outside of the package. When heating on one side, the flexible material may have a structure such that the higher melting point materials are arranged closer to the

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The thermal conductivity of the polymers can be controlled and tailored based on desired baling machine line speeds.

Other parameters of the flexible material that can be selected or adapted to provide the desired line speed, thermoforming, and / or sealing properties include elastic modulus E. Elastic modulus is a measure of the resistance of materials to deformation or stiffness.

The mechanical properties of polymers, such as those that can be included in the flexible materials of the description, are temperature dependent. For example, the flexible materials of the disclosure may have 1% drying modulus of greater than about 60,000 psi in the stackable direction, as measured using ASTM D882 at 23 ° C.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible container

Returning to the resealable packaging assembly

10, container 12 can be formed or mounted in any manner known in the art. For example, container 12 can be formed as described in US Patent No. 8,231,024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the first sheet 14 can be provided as a roll of material, and the second sheet 24 can be secured to the desired portions of the first sheet 14 along the roll. The opening 20 can also be pre-cut in the first sheet 14.

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In some embodiment in which a ta is formed the second sheet may be pre-cut to the dimensions of the cap edge 76 such that additional cutting operations may not be required on the second sheet 24 subsequent to the joining of the first sheet 14. In embodiments where the lid is formed from the flexible material, one or more forming stations can be provided at a desired location along the assembly line to form the desired characteristics of the container 12 and / or the closure assembly 22 . While modalities of the method and apparatus for forming the package may include and illustrate one or more forming stations for the formation of a closure assembly, it is contemplated that the methods and apparatus described herein, without the station (s) , can be used in forming a resealable package that does not include a formed closure assembly.

The first forming station may include thermoforming of the desired characteristics of container 12 and / or closure assembly 22. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet, such as first sheet 14 and / or second sheet 24 , is heated to a flexible forming temperature and formed to a specific shape in a mold. The sheet, or film when referring to finer gauges and certain types of material, is heated in an oven to a sufficiently high temperature that it can be stretched in or on a mold and cooled to a finished shape. Instead of thermoformed,

129 a person experienced in the art can

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to form the first coupling characteristic securing characteristic 104a (or characteristic described here).

In a typical thermoforming process a plastic sheet (such as the first sheet 14) is fed from a roll into a set of indexing chains that carry the plastic sheet through the forming temperature

The heated sheet is then indexed in a form station when one in Figures 1 5A to

17J) and the sheet box, with vacuum then trapped and pull the material under pressure to form the plastic to the detailed mold shape.

Reverse air pressure blast is actuated from the empty side of the mold as it opens, commonly known as expulsion to break the vacuum and assist the formed parts of, or out of, the mold. A plate used in the mold as more detailed parts or that with negative current, cut areas flush. As previously explained, one or more training stations can be supplied at any suitable location along the assembly line. For example, a system for

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131

The forming tube can be adapted to a portion of the forming station, for example, the nozzle can be integrally incorporated into the forming tube which can be directly secured to the forming tube. As illustrated in Figures 34A-34E and 35, the formation tube 307 may have a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion 192 downstream of the first portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter. The partition tube 307 can also have a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the perimeter of the second portion 192 can be less than the perimeter of the first portion. A nozzle 193 (such as or similar to the nozzle illustrated in Figures 40A-40F, for example) for thermoforming can be coupled to or integrally formed in forming tube 191 in second portion 192. The first and second diameters (or perimeters) are selected such that when the film passes from the first forming tube portion to the second forming tube portion with a nozzle installed thereon, the film remains at substantially the same level. In some embodiments, the forming tube can also be used as the fill tube for filling the product into the container. In such embodiments, the interior of the forming tube may include a restriction portion that reduces the diameter inside the forming tube to the size of the second diameter such that the product flows through an inner portion of the forming tube.

132

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For example, a first forming station may form the first coupling feature 36 (eg, overhang 40) and, optionally, the first securing feature 104a. The first forming station may also form some or all of the second coupling portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second securing feature 104b, the hinge portion 28 of the closure assembly 22, the one or more flanges 51, and / or or the locking mechanism 126, for example. Other desired characteristics can also be formed in the first forming station. The first coupling feature 36, the first latch feature 104a, the second latch portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second latch feature 104b, the hinge portion 28 of the latch assembly 22, the one or more flanges 51 , and / or the locking mechanism 126 can all be formed in the first forming station using a single mold (such as the molds illustrated in Figures 15A through 17J) in the step of a single process. Alternatively, the first coupling feature 36 and the first securing feature 104a can be formed in the first forming station using a single mold in a single manufacturing operation, and the second coupling portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second feature lock 104b, and the hinge portion 28, or for example, may be formed in a

133 second training station that is away from the training station. If the opening 20 (and / or cuts 107a, 107b of the hinge portion 28 of the embodiment of Figure 20A and 20B) is not pre-cut, the opening 20 or cuts 107a, 107b can be cut by a nozzle in the first forming station at the same time as the first coupling characteristic 36, the first securing characteristic 104a, the second coupling portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second securing characteristic 104b, hinge portion 28 of closure assembly 22, one or more tabs 51, and / or locking mechanism 126 are formed. Furthermore, the opening 20 or cuts 107a, 107b can be cut by a cutting nozzle before, during or after the forming operation at the first forming station. A cutting operation for cutting the opening 20 or cuts 107a, 107b could include inserting a sheet of a cutting nozzle (corresponding to the shape of the opening 20 or cuts 107a, 107b) through the first sheet 14 up to (but not through) the second sheet 24.

In various embodiments, the forming nozzle and / or forming structure can include structures to retain the film that is capable of controllably stretching during the forming process. This can help reduce or prevent tearing or pulling of the film when the film is compressed against the forming nozzle to form the closure mounting structures on the film.

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In one embodiment, the opening may be faith in the package at the time of closure assembly formation. For example, the nozzle used to form the closure assembly on the film may include a cutting nozzle incorporated within the forming nozzle. For example, the cutting nozzle may be included in a rear part of the forming nozzle and arranged such that upon sufficient compression of the forming nozzle the cutting nozzle will pass through an opening provided in the face of the forming nozzle. to make contact with a film arranged on the face of the cutting nozzle. In another embodiment, the forming nozzle may include two cutting nozzles, with a first cutting nozzle arranged at the rear of the forming nozzle for cutting the first and third blades, and a second cutting nozzle arranged on the front side. of the forming nozzle for cutting the second blade. The cutting nozzles can be, for example, forged steel knives. Figures 75A and 75B illustrate an exemplary forming nozzle having forged knives arranged within the forming nozzle. For example, in an exemplary forming operation, a hot film may be disposed on the face of a forming nozzle and compressed to a first compression pressure to conform the heated film to the structure defined in the forming nozzle and cool the film to retain the formed shapes, then the film

135 It can be compressed into the nozzle by a compression greater than the first compression pressure to engage the cutting nozzle arranged on a rear side of the forming nozzle such that the cutting nozzle contacts the film to define the opening. For example, in another exemplary forming operation, a hot film may be placed on the face of the forming nozzle and compressed under a first compression pressure to conform the heated film to the structure defined in the forming nozzle and cool the film. to retain the formed shape, the film can then be compressed in the first nozzle and coupled with the second cutting nozzle at a second compression pressure greater than the first compression pressure to engage the first cutting nozzle disposed on the rear side of the forming nozzle such that the cutting nozzle makes contact with the film to define the opening through the first and third blades, and engaging the second cutting nozzle to cut and define the movable lid portion on the second sheet, including, for example, defining the hinge characteristic. The extent to which the cutting nozzle extends to contact the film and / or the second compression pressure can be configured such that the cutting nozzle passes through the first sheet and the optional third sheet, but preferably does not cut through the second sheet. In some modalities, the cutting nozzle can make contact with the second blade,

136 partially scoring the second sheet, miei

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sheet has not been weakened by scoring.

Figures 75A and 75B further illustrate an embodiment of a forming station including a secondary forming plate that provides a secondary forming operation to further force the film into the inner forming cavity, which can improve cut formation by flush and other features in the formed lid mount.

Any suitable packaging machinery can be used to form the resealable packaging assembly 10. For example, as illustrated in Figures 19A through 19F, a vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) 135 machine can be used. The packaging machine 135 is capable of intermittently forming a series of resealable packaging assemblies 10 from a film web, such as a roll 136 of the first sheet 14 that can be fed into the packaging machine 135. Roll 136 may be adapted to have a larger diameter than conventional film rolls to accommodate a locally thickened portion of the film, for example, by including a third sheet in the films and / or locally thickened portions of the first film. sheet. For example, the roll may have an increased diameter of³A inch to 1 inch. In said film network, the opening 20 (and / or cut 107a, 107b of the hinge portion 28 of the embodiment of Figures 20A and 20B) can be pre-cut (or pre-punched or

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pre-punched) on the first sheet 14 and the s &lt;

can be secured to desired portions of the first sheet

14. A person having ordinary skill in the art may recognize that the second sheets 24 could be applied while the film web is routed through the packing machine 135 at any point prior to heating and thermoforming. In some applications, the film web may be pre-printed with graphics related to the product to be arranged within the resealable packaging assembly 10, such as product information, manufacturer information, nutritional information, barcodes, and the like. Roll 136 can be rotatably mounted on a shaft at the inlet end of baling machine 135. The film web is normally fed into the packing machine 135 over a series of dancing rolls and guide rolls 137, one or more of which can be driven to direct the first sheet 14 in the direction of the machine's transport path. baling 135.

Before being formed into the shape of the container 12 of the resealable packaging assembly 10, the film network may be routed through one or more heating stations 138 which heat the film network for a subsequent thermoforming step. The film network is then routed through a first forming station 140 that can thermoform the desired characteristics of the container 12 and / or the assembly of

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I i VI II l · *⁸ ”” Λθ J. -i 'J- jl a. gr_H.H......... · ^ jcni close 22 as described above. For the first forming station 140, the first coupling feature 36, the first locking feature 104a, the second coupling portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second locking feature 104b, the hinge portion 28 of the closure assembly 22 , the one or more tabs 51, and / or the optional locking mechanism 126 can be formed simultaneously using a single mold. Pressure or pressure formation and vacuum formation can be used. An inert gas can be used for pressure build-up and / or to expel inverted air. After the first forming station 140, the film network can then be routed through one or more subsequent forming stations (not shown) that can perform additional manufacturing operations, such as scoring or additional thermoforming of desired characteristics, such as previously described. However, it is preferable if all training is done in a single training station, such as the first training station 140. After passing through the first forming station 140 (and any subsequent forming station (s)), the film network is directed to a packet forming station 142 having a rim 144, or other device such as a forming frame or sequential folding system, configured to wrap the film around a forming tube 146 in a manner known in the art. In

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product filling 148 having a funnel 150 for receiving the product to be disposed in the resealable packaging assembly 10 and filling the resealable packaging assembly 10 with the product as the film advances along the forming tube 146. It is contemplated that the filling of the package can occur on or off the formation tube. For example, the package may be removed from the forming tube having one end, open, unsealed, and filled in a separate operation. Forming tube 146 is configured to form the film into the desired shape based on the characteristics of the final package design, such as square, rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, round, irregular, and the like. Of course, where other types of packaging machines without VFFS are used, a forming tube may not necessarily be used, and instead the film can be wrapped directly around the product to be stored in the resealable packaging assembly 10. As previously described, the first forming station 140 (or any subsequent forming station) can be integrally arranged and formed with one end downstream of the forming tube 146.

After the film is formed around the formation tube 146, the film network is moved along the transport path to a combination of the edge seal / corner seal station 152 to form seal seals.

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Corners at corners between sides 16a-fd create the combination of edge seal and corner seals, if desired, on the side edges of the film net. In various embodiments, corner seals can limit and surround one side of the package or opposite sides of the package. The film network can pass a series of forming plates and form bars, and the film network can then be directed past the station 152 welding devices that welds overlapping portions of the film to complete the corner seals of container 12. Of course, corner seals and edge seals of container 12 can be formed by different workstations depending on the particular configuration of the packaging machine.

One or more heating stations 138, first forming station 140, and any of the subsequent forming stations have been described as being located upstream of the baling forming station 142 or the edge seal / seal station combination. Corner 152, However, in alternative modes of the packing machine 135, the film network may be run at one or more heating stations 138, the first forming station 140, and any of the subsequent forming stations following the seal / corner seal station 152. Alternatively, the film network may be routed to one or more heating stations 138,

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In order to further control the movement of the film web along the formation tube 146 and the transport path, pull belts 154 may be provided after stations 152 (or after one or more heating stations 138, first forming station 140, and any of the subsequent forming stations) for coupling the film and pulling the film through the previous stations 142, 152.

After the seal / corner seal station 152, the edges of the container 12 can be sealed to close the container 12, and folded and folded down to conform to the shape of the container 12 in a closing station 156. At the closing station 156, seal bars 158 can be simultaneously closed on the film and can seal a trailing edge (such as the first and / or second edge 48, 50, for example) of a front container 12 and a loading edge of a current container 12 in a manner known in the art.

As discussed above, forming tube 146 of the illustrated mode of packaging machine 135 is a product filling tube 148. Once the loading edge of container 12 is closed during the sealing process at the

142 closing station 156, the product can add:

At that time, a specific amount of product can be poured through funnel 150 into fill tube 148 and dropped into container 12. After or as container 12 receives the product, container 12 advances to align a trailing edge of the container 12 at the closing station 156 and the trailing edge can be folded and sealed in the manner described above, whereby the container 12 is sealed with the product provided here.

At the same time the seals of the adjacent containers 12 are formed, a gas washing operation can be performed if necessary to place a desired atmosphere in the container 12. Once the container 12 of the resealable packaging assembly 10 is sealed, It can be separated from the film net in preparation for any of the final processing and containerized cargo placement steps. Accordingly, the closure station 156 may further include a knife or other separating device (not shown) next to the seal bars 158 to cut the common seal and separate the adjacent container 12. Alternatively, the separation may occur at one station downstream.

After separation, the resealable packaging assembly 10 may drop or otherwise be transported to a conveyor 160 for supply to the remaining processing stations. Referring to Figures 76A143

76Ε, the conveyor can

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modalities such as a continuous race track type design. The race track type conveyor can be provided with various stations, for example to provide folding and sealing a final seal (fin). In some embodiments, as discussed in detail below, the carrier may include the packet receiving member. The conveyor may further equip with a tilt portion or open portion, for example, to target or allow packages to drop from the package receiving member into a box or to separate it from the conveyor. Alternatively, an arm can remove the package from the conveyor. For example, the resealable packaging assembly 10 may drop through a package ramp 162. The resealable packaging assembly 10 may drop loosely at a first location of conveyor 164, but primarily aligned on conveyor 160. At a second location of conveyor 166, the package side guides

167a, 167b can hold tight the resealable packaging assembly 10 and positively can locate it through a third location of conveyor 168. In a fourth location of conveyor 170, the package side guides 167a, 167b can start from tapered down to the resealable packaging assembly 10. At a fifth location of conveyor 172, the top guide of package 173 can be held tight against the mounting of the

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO W »......... 11118 (111510 closable packaging 10 by placing it in a vertical direction. One or more glue applicators 175 may deposit glue on one or more open flaps (for example, the portions of the first sheet 14 fourth side wall 16e illustrated in Figure 1) which are to be arranged through a gap between the top portion of the resealable packaging assembly 10. At a sixth location of conveyor 174, the package side guides 167a, 167b transition from a low profile to a high profile and bend the tabs of the resealable packaging assembly 10 in the position illustrated in Figure 1. Thus arranged, the glue begins to cure or "set" and can be fully cured or set in this position. At the seventh location of conveyor 176, the package side guides 167a, 167b are high profile and continue to hold the flaps one or more in the desired position. If the glue is not fully cured or set, it may continue to cure or set in this position and / or subsequent positions. Alternatively, the fins one or more could be heat sealed to a corresponding side wall 16d, 16e. If necessary, one or more post-processing stations (not shown) may be included along conveyor 160 for any additional operations to be performed prior to shipment, such as coded appointments, weight control, quality control, labeling or marked,

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Mexican INSTITUTE fie ......... ΒΒίΛΛΟ RFID installation and the like. In sealing and post-processing activities, the resealable finished packaging assembly 10 can be removed from conveyor 160 by a shutter (not shown) and placed in a box (not shown) for storage and / or shipping to the clients.

Figure 66 illustrates a mode where the transporter includes a package receiving member that guides the package through the transporter locations. For example, the package assembly falls from the packaging machine into a package receiving member arranged on the conveyor. The package receiving member can assist in retaining the shape of the package assembly while and remaining in the assembly steps, such as forming and / or folding the drag seal (also called end seals), are performed on the conveyor. . The package receiving member may, for example, have a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the package assembly. For example, the package receiving member may have the same cross-sectional shape as the package assembly and be sized so that the package assembly resides in the package receiving member. The package receiving member can be, for example, open at the top and bottom portion, such that the side walls are provided corresponding to the package side walls. For example, the package may reside firmly within the member

146 package receiver in order to compressive proportcit to maintain the intended folded shape of the package. The package receiving member can be of any convenient height. For example, the receiving member package of the receiving member of the package may have a height such that it extends to cover at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or 100% of the package mounting height (measured from the bottom wall). In embodiments in which the package receiving member is approximately the same height as the package mounting, it should be understood that a drag seal, which may or may not be formed when the package mounting is placed on the package receiving member, it can extend over the upper portion of the package receiving member such that they can be further formed and / or processed to bend and / or adhere to the package wall. For example, the drag seal (also known as the end or flap seal) can be folded over and heat sealed to the outside of the package and / or glued with an adhesive. Figures 74A to 74F illustrate embodiments of a heating plate that can be incorporated into the conveyor to heat a fin formed by the drag seal enough to place the fin on the side of the package using a heat seal. As illustrated in Figure 74C, the heat plate can include two

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'A A'A AA ................... ^ AtM mSTITCTO MEXICANO fjJ .......... Β · “· ί&gt; * · θ extensions towards down and a region hollows out fin, while the sides of the fin are heated by downward extensions. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figures 74A and 74B, the heat plate may include a flat plate or a plate with a single projection, respectively, for contacting and heating the fin before and / or after the fin is folded into contact with the side of the container to thereby seal the flap by the container. The conveyor may include one or more heating plates for sealing the lid on the side of the package. For example, a first heating station can be provided with little heat than a second heating station. For example, the first heating station may include a heat plate according to the embodiment shown in Figure 74C having the two 15 projections, and a second heating station may include a heating plate with no projection or single projection, for example, as illustrated in Figures 74A and 74B, respectively. For example, the conveyor may include the heating plate with first and second projections for a first heating step when the fin is in the upright position and a heating plate without any projection or individual projection for additional heating after the flap has been folded over to contact a portion of the package.

The carrier can include any convenient number

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L Α »JL, A. .........” of suitable packet receiving members space along the conveyor. The number and spacing of the package receiving members can be determined for example by one or more of the speed of the package forming process, the length of the conveyor, and the number and duration of the processes to be performed on the package while it is on the conveyor. For example, the protractor may include about 1 to about 30, about 5 to about 10, about 12 to about 24, about 6 to about 18, about 7 to about 20, or about 10 to about 25 members receiving the package. Other suitable numbers of the package receiving members include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30. Space can be determined, for example, by the various processes performed in assembling the package while it is on the conveyor and the timing of the processes to be performed. For example, in an embodiment where the trailing seal is folded over and attached to one side of the package, the package receiving members may be spaced about 2 by about 24 inches apart.

Figures 36, 37 and 46 illustrate various modalities of VFFS machines. Figure 46 illustrates a VFFS 300 machine (vertical folding station mode) with one embodiment of the vertical forming station 301 illustrated in Figure 38. The vertical forming station 301 includes the mounting of the forming tube 302

149 illustrated in Figures 33A-33D, and mounting d

302 may include a forming tube 307 that extends along a length first axis 330 from a first end 331 to a second longitudinally opposite end 332. The first longitudinal axis 330 can be vertical or substantially vertical. As used herein, the term vertical includes a direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the Z axis of the reference coordinate system provided in Figures 33A33D and 52A. Alternatively, the first longitudinal axis 330 can be horizontal or substantially horizontal. As used herein, the term horizontal includes a direction normal or substantially normal to the z axis of the reference coordinate system provided in Figures 33A-33D and 52A, such as a direction within or substantially within the XY plane of the system. coordinate reference provided in Figures 33A-33D and 52A. The forming tube assembly 302 can be modular and can be releasably attached to a primary frame or a portion of the main frame. The assembly of the forming tube 302 of Figures 33A-33D can include one or more (eg two) heating stations 303, and the heating stations 303 each can be identical to the embodiment of Figures 39A-39F. In some embodiments, the heating station 303 can be designed to selectively heat areas of the portion of the film disposed within the heating station. The assembly of the

150

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INSTÍTUTO MEXICANO forming tube 302 of Figures 33A-33D also a forming station 304, such as a thermoforming station, which may include an internal forming cavity or a first mold element 305 (illustrated in Figures 40A-40F) and a forming cavity exterior or a second mold element 306 (illustrated in Figures 41A-41D) to form any or all of the first coupling characteristic 36, the first coupling characteristic 104a, the second coupling portion 38, the convex portion 98, the second locking feature 104b, the hinge portion 28 of the closure assembly 22, the one or more flanges 51 and / or the optional locking mechanism 126. The mounting of the forming tube 302 of Figures 33A-33D may further include a forming tube 307 (illustrated in Figures 34A-34E) which extends longitudinally (i.e. along the first longitudinal axis 330) relative to the mounting of the forming tube 302 and the forming tube 307 operate identically to the forming tube 146 described above. That is, the forming tube 307 will be able to adapt to the shape of the film as the film moves in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis 330. The first mold element 305 (which may be identical to die 193 in Figure 35), or any portion of the forming station 304, can be attached directly to a portion of the forming tube 307, and the portion of the forming tube can be at or adjacent to the second end of the forming tube 332.

151

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it may further include a pressure compensation assembly 308 (illustrated in Figures 42A-42D) that applies pressure to the forming tube 307 against the inner forming cavity 305 and the outer forming cavity 306. The pressure on the forming tube assembly 302 by the pressure compensating assembly 308 can be equal to or approximately equal to the pressure exerted by the inner forming cavity 305 and the external forming cavity 306 and this compensating pressure improves stability and reduces the deviation in forming tube assembly 302. The forming tube assembly 302 of Figures 33A-33D may further include a product funnel 309 for receiving the product to be disposed in the resealable packaging assembly 10.

A primary frame 333 may extend along or substantially along the first longitudinal axis 330, with at least a portion of the forming tube 307 directly or indirectly coupled to a portion of the main frame 333 to support the forming tube 307 or any portion of the forming tube assembly 302. A first end of primary frame 333 may be disposed adjacent to (or extend vertically above) first end 331 of forming tube 307 and a second end of frame may extend beyond (or extend vertically below) second end 332 of forming tube 332. Primary frame 333 may include one frame or another

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In other modalities, such as the forming station

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In this mode, one or more stations

303 they may include a first heating element 303a for heating a first portion of the film 14 as the film travels to the first end 331 of the forming tube 307, the first heating station 303a being arranged between the film roll station 136 and the first end 331 of the forming tube 307. A second heating station 303b can be arranged between the first heating station 303a and the first end 331 of the forming tube 307. The first thermoforming station 304 can be arranged between the first heating station 303a (or the second heating station 303b) and the first end 331 of the forming tube 307. Thus configured, the one or more heating stations 303 and the first thermoforming station 304 may be arranged upstream (relative to the direction of film travel 14 through vertical forming station 335) of the forming tube 307 or the first end 331 of forming tube 307.

In contemplated embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 52A and 52B, one or more modular frames 334, such as a first modular frame 334a, can be removably secured to the primary frame 333 at one or more points between the film roll 136 and the first end 331 of the forming tube 307. One or more components, such as the first heating station 303, can be attached to a first

155 portion of the first modular frame 334 and to the mi of the first thermoforming station 304 (eg the second mold element of the first thermoforming station 304) can be attached to a second portion of the first modular frame 334. One skilled in the art would recognize that such 334 modular frames allow a user or technician to quickly and efficiently change the components secured to the 334 modular frames. For example, a first modular frame 334 can be removed from the primary frame 333 and a second modular frame 334b ​​can be attached to the main frame 333. The second modular frame 334b ​​can have one or more different heating stations 303 and / or one or more different stations of thermoforming 304 (or a portion of a thermoforming station) than the first modular assembly 334. However, those modular frames 334 are optional and the first heating station 303 and at least a portion of the thermoforming station 304 can be attached directly (or indirectly) to the primary frame 333.

Referring again to Figure 38, the vertical forming station 301 of Figure 38 may include a bottom flap fold top assembly 310 (or a first fold mount or a first fold station illustrated in Figures 43A-43F) downstream of a seal rod assembly 313 and forming tube assembly 302. The first fold station 310 may

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Attached to the primary frame 333 or the frame * can be arranged between the second end 332 of the forming tube and the second primary end.

The bottom fin fold top mount 310 may also include a vibrator and / or a product settling heater. The vertical forming station 301 may also include a top flap fold assembly 311 (illustrated in Figures 44A-44F) and a bottom flap fold bottom assembly 312 (illustrated in Figures 45A-45F), and bottom flap assembly. Bottom fin fold 312 may also include a vibrator and / or product set heater. The bottom flap fold top assembly 310, the top flap fold assembly 311 and / or the bottom flap fold assembly 312 can cooperate to form flaps, corners and / or folds in the film to form portions of the closable packaging assembly 10. The vertical forming station 301 may also include seal bars 313 to seal the edges of the film to form portions of the closable packaging assembly 10. Seal bars 313 can also form the end and cut seals of the packages separately.

In the VFFS 300 machine illustrated in Figure 46, the resealable packaging assembly 10 is formed or substantially formed in the vertical forming station 301 and each assembly completed or substantially completed

157 closable packaging 10 is conveyor 314 which carries the reclosable packaging assembly 10 for further inspection or additional packaging.

Referring now to Figure 37, an embodiment of a VFFS 315 machine (Horizontal Top End Seal Fold and Paste Mode) includes an embodiment of a vertical forming station 316 including mounting of forming tube 302 illustrated in Figures 33A-33D . The vertical forming station 316 may be similar to the vertical forming station 301 of Figure 38. However, the vertical forming station 316 can only include a packing bottom fold assembly

317. In this embodiment, the partially formed reclosable packaging assemblies 10 are placed on the conveyor 314 and the partially formed reclosable packaging assemblies 10 are routed through side guides that are held tight against the closable packaging assembly 10 and positively locating it in a desired fixed position, such as a vertical orientation. On the conveyor, partially formed resealable packaging assemblies 10 can pass through a product settling / vibration station

318, and then additional glue and fold stations to complete resealable packaging assemblies 10. Glue stations can

158 Include kits to apply glue to a sealing flap next to the package. Alternatively, hot rods can be provided at the glue station to heat the film material and then folding devices can be provided to fold the heated fin on top and apply pressure to secure the fins to the package side by a heat seal. . In various embodiments, the packaging machine may include motorized belts, which may, for example, facilitate movement of the film / packages through the machine.

Referring to Figure 36, one embodiment of a VFFS 318 machine (Horizontal Top End Seal Fold and Seal Mode) includes an embodiment of a vertical forming station 319 that includes the forming tube assembly 302 illustrated in Figure 33A-33D. The vertical forming station 319 may be similar to the vertical forming station 301 of Figure 38. However, the vertical forming station 316 may only include a package 317 bottom fold assembly and may include seal jaws 320 adapted to form seals with vent channels to ventilate the resealable packaging assembly 10 so that it will be described in more detail later. In such seal jaws 320, each of the seal bars has a channel extending therethrough, and the channel of each of the seal bars are aligned such that when the seal bars are

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE ......... i | isJJí * lQ couple to seal a portion of the film packaging 10, the channels cooperate to create an elongated unsealed ventilation in the film. Ventilation can be arranged in any orientation, including the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the partially formed reclosable packaging assemblies 10 are placed on the conveyor 314 and the partially formed reclosable packaging assemblies 10 are routed through the side rails as described above. On the conveyor, the partially formed, reclosable packaging assemblies 10 may pass through a product settling / vibration station 318. In addition, the partially formed reclosable packaging assemblies 10 may pass through a final seal deflation and control station 321 and then an final seal station 322, 323 to seal the vent and / or to make the stronger package.

As illustrated in Figures 53A through 53F, a VFFS machine may include a reject station 337 disposed between the second end of the primary frame 333 and the second end 332 of the forming tube 307. The reject station 337 may include at least one ramp (for example, a first ramp 338 alone or more than one of the ramps), and at least one ramp 338 may be arranged at any position below the second end of the forming tube to allow the

160 Containers move down the sec forming tube to contact a surface of the first ramp 338. For example, the ramp at least one 338 may be arranged at an angle with respect to a reference plane normal to the first longitudinal axis 330. Thus configured, the first ramp has a first end that is disposed adjacent to and below the second end of the forming tube such that the film forming a partially formed, reclosable container contacts the first end of the first ramp when the partially formed reclosable container is released from the forming tube 307. The partially formed closable container travels under the influence of gravity to the second end of the ramp and into a waste container, for example. Rejection station 337 can be attached directly or indirectly to any portion of the mount, such as main frame 333 or vertical forming station 301, for example. Rejection station 337 can be implemented at startup when partially formed containers are released from forming tube 307 that would jam at downstream folding stations. The reject station can also be implemented if low or overweight product fillers are detected or if metal is detected in the package, for example. An reject station can alternatively be provided on the conveyor. For example, a portion of the protractor may leave it or an arm

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Robotic can be supplied to remove conveyor in a reject position. Figure 76A illustrates an embodiment where a reject station is provided on the conveyor.

The components of the packaging machine 135 and the steps for forming the resealable packaging assembly 10 there can be arranged as needed to correctly form the resealable packaging assembly 10 and do it in a manner efficient and profitable, io For example, as explained above, the plot of the film can be directed to one or more heating stations 138, the first forming station 140 and any subsequent forming stations following the seal / corner sealing station 152.

In various embodiments, the package can be formed by a process to ventilate the internal environment of the package. In packaging of various materials, it may be necessary to provide a particular upper space in the package during the filling and sealing process of the package to protect the product. The methods according to the description may include ventilating this space, which can advantageously reduce the size of the package. The package can be ventilated for example by forming a ventilation hole by sealing the guide or drag seal of the package. For example, the seal jaw can form the seal on the package leaving

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I VI Γ I · 1ββ *^? '**&gt; Ο - * Λ. ι Λ. Μ. Α · ^ Λ ΧΛ a small gap in the seal through the air vent. Once vented, the seal can be resealed to seal the vent hole. In quadruple seal type packages, for example, an initial seal can be provided to include ventilation and then over the air vent in the package, the seal can be reformed to close the ventilation, and then the seal can be folded over and adhered to the portion package exterior.

In some embodiments, the process may include placing the product in the package before forming the seal to seal the package. For example, a guide stamp can be formed on the package and the product can be filled on the package. Before sealing the entrainment seal, the product may be subjected to a sedimentation process, for example, by vibrations or other methods known in the art, to sediment the product to the portion of the package adjacent to the formed guide seal. Then the drag seal can be formed. In some embodiments, the package may be left on or placed on a conveyor of the forming tube before forming the drive seal. The conveyor may include a seating station where the product is seated to the portion of the package adjacent to the drag seal. The guide seal can then be formed and can optionally include a vent as described above.

In various package modalities, drag seals

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INSTITUTE ΜΕΧΚΑΝΟ and guide can be folded over and external adherii of the package. Such folding and sealing operations of the guide seal can be completed by forming the guide seal with the film disposed on the forming tube or when the package is disposed on the conveyor. Such trailing seal folding and sealing operations can be completed either when the film is provided on the forming tube or on the conveyor. When the drag seal has been formed on the conveyor, folding and sealing operations to adhere the seal to the outside of the package will be performed on the conveyor. In some embodiments, the drive seal can be formed while the film is carried over the forming tube such that a sealed package is provided to the conveyor for folding and sealing of the guide and / or drive seals to the outside of the package. In some embodiments, the guide and drag seals can be formed and bent and sealed to the outer portion of the package when the package is placed in line with the forming tube and prior to placing the package on a conveyor.

One skilled in the art will understand that the containers 10 may be formed by other types of machines or combinations of machines, such as horizontally, fill and seal machines (HFFS), stand-up bag machines, sequential assembly machines and the like. and the use of such machines or combinations of machines performing the various

164 This description is contemplated by the inventors. One of skill in the art would also recognize that any suitable product can be placed within the container of assembly * 3 nor can food products, such as peanuts, be placed within container 12. Alternatively, wipes can also be placed within container 12.

above, and unlike conventional baby-mountable packaging assemblies from reclosings, the lid member 26, the first coupling feature 36 can be formed in container 12 and closure assembly 22 in a manufacturing operation, thereby eliminating the need to attach a separately manufactured lid mount that is secured to a container. Since features are formed in one step and because separate fabricated cap mounting is not necessary, one with common skill in the art would recognize that cost and manufacturing time are reduced. On the other hand, one with common skill in such characteristics allows reliable resealing of the lid member 26 to the container 12 despite the presence of surface contaminants in the area one embodiment of a machine.

VFFS 1000 includes a modality of a station mount

165 fin fold 1002 adapted to replace race track type including multiple stations, for example to provide the fold and seal of a final seal fin (see eg Figures 76A to 76F). In this embodiment, a roll of film 1004 similar or identical to any of those previously described (eg, a first sheet 14 and a second sheet 24) can be guided over a forming shoulder 1006 and around a forming tube 1008 extending along (or substantially along) a vertical axis (along or parallel to the Z axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 78) in a manner previously described or in any conventional manner. However, to reduce or eliminate wrinkling in the first sheet 14 and / or the second sheet 24, the forming shoulder 1006 may have one or more pieces of radius 1007 (as illustrated in Figures 84A to 84D) that allows a radius of curvature of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 24 which is greater than the corresponding radii of conventional forming projections. Forming shoulder 1006 can have one or more radius pieces 1007 that can be arranged at any convenient location on forming shoulder 1006, and radius pieces 1007 can have any convenient geometry to increase the radius of curvature of the first sheet 14 and the second sheet sheet 16. For example, each piece of radius 1007 may be a ramp-like projection on one edge of forming shoulder 1006 that provides a radius of curvature of 0.063 to 2,000,

166 depending on the thickness of the first sheet 14.

radius of curvature can be 0.375. Since the first sheet 14 and the second sheet 24 are folded around the forming tube 1006 in a conventional manner, one or more vertical sealing stations 1010 can apply a vertical seal - such as a heat seal - to one or more vertically aligned edges of the first sheet 14 such that the first sheet 14 is sealed around the perimeter of the forming tube 1008.

As described above, one or more edges of second sheet 16 may be perforated or marked to aid in edge folding, in addition or alternatively one or more edge folding stations 1012 may be disposed along forming tube 1008 to assist also in the edge fold and / or mechanically define a groove in the first and second sheets at the edge when a line of least resistance is not supplied. As illustrated in Figure 80A and 80D, edge folding stations 1012 may include a flange 1014 that can be arranged vertically along one edge of forming tube 1006, and can extend transversely (i.e., normal to the Z axis of the system of reference coordinates of Figure 78, such as, for example, along or parallel to the X-axis or Y-axis of the reference coordinate system of Figure 78) beyond the perimeter of the outer surface of the forming tube 1008. The projection tab 1014 may be aligned with a mark and / or a hole in the

167 first sheet 14 (and the second sheet 24) such that u

1016 - as a cylindrical roll - can engage one or both sides of a portion of the punched / marked edge to fold the edge onto the projection tab 1014. One skilled in the art would understand that as described, the projection flange 1014 cooperating with the roller (s) 1016 allows a fold greater than 90 degrees to form a sharper groove in the first sheet 14 along a mark or perforation than as much as possible in forming tube 1008 alone, as illustrated in Figure 80B. Figures 85A to 85G illustrate an embodiment of the edge folding station 1012 having two rollers 1017 (axes of rollers 1017 not shown) arranged next to the projection tabs 1014 formed on the edges of forming tube 1008. Projection tab 1014 or forming tube 1008 may have portions that are contoured to correspond with the contoured shapes of marked or perforated portions of the first sheet and / or the second sheet 24 to facilitate folding to the contoured shapes.

After the vertical edge of the perimeter of the first sheet 14 is sealed, the first and second sheets 14, 24 vertically advance to a first horizontal sealing station 1018 that may include one or more folders (not shown) that can be displaced in one direction. horizontal (or a substantially horizontal direction) to move a portion of a first end of a segment of the first sheet

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MEXICAN INSlTATO f | jg ........ BjlWTlO in a known way. At some first and second press brakes it may converge toward the vertical axis of forming tube 1008 to move symmetrically opposite portions of the first end of a segment of first sheet 14 in a known manner. A pair of horizontally arranged seal bars can then seal (eg heat seal) the first end of a segment of the first sheet 14 in a known manner. A horizontal cut can be made in conjunction with the seal of the first end of a segment of the first sheet 14 to create a partially formed container with a second open end.

The partially formed container with a second open end (eg, a top end) can be vertically advanced to a second horizontal sealing station 1020. While advancing between the first horizontal sealing station 1018 and the second horizontal sealing station 1020 (or while in the first horizontal sealing station 1018 or the second horizontal sealing station 1020), the partially formed container with the second open end may be filled with product from the filling tube in a conventional manner. For example, the first and second horizontal sealing stations 1018, 1020 can operate cooperatively and substantially simultaneously to define the bottom seal of a first container and the top seal of a second container,

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The second horizontal sealing station 1020 may be similar or identical in characteristic to the first horizontal sealing station 1018. That is, the second horizontal sealing station 1020 may include one or more folders (not shown) that are movable in a horizontal direction. (or a substantially horizontal direction) to displace a portion of the second end of the partially formed container in a known manner. In some embodiments, a first and second folder can converge toward the vertical axis of forming tube 1008 to symmetrically move opposite portions of the partially formed container in a known manner. The horizontally arranged seal bar can then seal (eg heat seal) the second end of the partially formed container in known manner (eg, while the first end of the partially formed container in the first horizontal seal station

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1018), thus creating a sealed container 1024 t &lt;

transverse seal 1022 at the second end (eg, the top end). The transverse sealed flap 1022 (see Figure 81) is the transverse flap created when the second end of the partially formed container is sealed to close the partially formed container in the sealed container 1024.

A support structure (eg, a retractable platform) may be disposed normal to the vertical axis of forming tube 1008 to support the first end of the partially formed container at the second horizontal sealing station 1020. Furthermore, instead of trimming the first sealed end of a segment of the first sheet 14 (to create a partially formed container with a second open end) in the first horizontal sealing station 1018, such trimming could be performed in the second sealing station. horizontal 1020 to create the partially formed container (or create the 1024 sealed container). The first and second sheets 14, 24 can pause at the first horizontal sealing station 1018 and the second horizontal sealing station 1020 to form the seals and / or perform the horizontal cutting operation. However, the first and second sheets 14, 24 can continuously move in and between the first horizontal sealing station 1018 and the second horizontal sealing station 1020. In such an embodiment, the first sealing station

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1020 it can scroll vertically downward in the same proportion as the first sheet 14 for the duration of the sealing / cutting process, as is known in the art. The first horizontal sealing station 1018 and / or the second horizontal sealing station 1020 can then be moved vertically upwards to initiate the next sealing process, as is known in the art.

A fin seal station assembly 1002 may be provided downstream of the (eg, vertical offset from or below) first horizontal seal station 1018 and / or the second horizontal seal station 1020. As illustrated in Figures 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, and 86a through 89g, the fin seal station assembly 1002 may include a vertically arranged guide structure 1028 that is adapted to ensure proper placement of the sealed container 1024 after the Sealed container 1024 exits the second horizontal sealing station 1020 (eg, falls off the support structure). For example, guide structure 1028 may include a plurality of vertical walls arranged at right angles to form a rectangular perimeter that is somewhat offset from the vertically aligned side walls of the perimeter of sealed container 1024. Guide structure 1028 may be hinged on a vertical edge to allow one or more walls of the guide structure 1028 to be opened by a technician. In some

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include a movable bracket (not shown) that can support the bottom (eg, first end) of the sealed container 1024. The movable bracket can be retracted or pivoted from a first position on or adjacent to a bottom portion (eg, low ) the guide structure 1028 to a second position remote from the lower portion of the guide structure 1028 to temporarily support the sealed container 1024. In the first position, the sealed container 1024 can rest on the movable support such that all or a portion of the sealed container 1024 is surrounded by the guide structure 1028. In that position, a transverse sealed flap 1023 is maintained (see figure 81 ) against the bottom portion of the 1024 sealed container. Because the transverse sealed fin 1023 is still heated from the sealing operation, the transverse sealed fin 1023 (eg heat sealed) is secured to the lower portion of the sealed container 1024, thus allowing for a more aesthetically aerodynamic package. In the second position, the sealed container 1024 can drop (under the influence of gravity only) to a position directly below and aligned with the guide structure 1028. In alternative embodiments, a movable support cannot be used and the sealed container 1024 may fall (under the influence of gravity) to a position directly below and aligned with the guide frame 1028. After falling, the bottom (eg,

173 the first end) of the sealed container arranged on a support structure, such as a horizontal surface of a conveyor 1030, as illustrated in Figure 78.

In the support structure, the sealed container 1024 may be coupled (eg, immediately coupled or surrounded) by a retaining structure 1032 of the fin sealing station assembly 1002 and the retaining structure 1032 may have a cross section corresponding to the 1024 sealed container. For example, the retaining structure 1032 may include a plurality of vertical walls arranged at right angles to form a rectangular perimeter that is somewhat offset from the vertically aligned side walls of the perimeter of the sealed container 1024. The retaining structure 1032 may include a first portion 1032a and a second portion 1032b that can be moved horizontally from a first closed position to a second open position, and vice versa. In the first closed position, shown in Figure 83A, an end portion of the first portion 1032a may be adjacent to or in contact with an end portion of the second portion 1032b such that the first portion 1032a and second portion 1032b cooperate to forming a cabinet surrounding the 1024 sealed container when the 1024 sealed container is disposed on the support structure. That is, each of the plurality of vertical walls

174 which form the retention structure 1032

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first portion 1032a and second portion 1032b) may be directly adjacent or in contact with a corresponding vertical wall of the sealed container 1024. In the second open position, shown in Figure 82A, the end portion of the first portion 1032a can be displaced of the end portion of the second portion 1032b such that the sealed container 1024 is not enclosed by the first portion 1032a and second portion 1032b when the sealed container

1024 it is arranged in the support structure. For example, each of the first portion 1032a and the second portion 1032b may horizontally arrange a certain vertical axis distance from the forming tube 1008.

In the first closed position, one or more pressure plates 1034 of the flap seal station assembly 1002 can engage the upper portion (eg, the second end) of the sealed container 1024. One or more pressure plates 1034 can be retracted or pivot from a first position on or adjacent to an upper portion of (eg, on) retaining structure 1032 to a second position remote from the upper portion of retaining structure 1032. In some embodiments, the sealed container 1024 may be disposed within the holding structure 1032 - and the holding structure 1032 may be in the first closed position - before the pressure plates 1034 one or more moving to the first

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I IVI i I Íi^|W^r '* £ ® j. a »ν, Ζζ,“ E || aí .......... - ^ j® position. With the sealed container 1024 retention structure 1032 in the first closed position, the pressure provided against the vertical sides and bottom portion of the sealed container 1024 by the retention structure 1032 and the support structure cooperate to compress the residual fluid (for example, air) in the 1024 sealed container, thereby providing an increase in pressure within the 1024 sealed container. As the one or more pressure plates 1034 are tiltable or otherwise displaced in the first position to engage (i.e., in contact with) the upper portion (eg, the second end) of the sealed container 1024, the increase in Pressure allows the one or more pressure plates 1034 to compress the sealed transverse flap 1022 against the top portion of the sealed container 1024. Since the transverse sealed fin 1022 is still heated from the sealing operation, the transverse sealed fin 1022 (eg heat sealed) is secured to the top portion of the sealed container 1024, thus allowing for a more aesthetically streamlined package. When the transverse sealed flap 1022 has been thus secured, the pressure plates 1034 one or more retracts, the retaining structure 1032 is moved to the second open position, and the transporter transports the finished sealed container 1024 to a remote station for a packing or additional processing. The process is then repeated for the next sealed 1024 container.

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Examples

Example 1 Blue Printed Film

The film had a first sheet with a laminated structure as follows:

150 cast polypropylene ga

INK

Adhesive

120 PLA ga

Adhesive

2,875 thousand EVOH Coex (12321.302W)

The first sheet had a nominal thickness of 5,575 thousandths of an inch. The film further includes a second sheet disposed on the first sheet in a region that was formed on the top wall. The second sheet had a nominal thickness of 10,000 and was formed from PET. The film also includes a third sheet arranged on the first sheet opposite the second sheet. The third sheet had a nominal thickness of 7 thousand and was formed from PLA / EVOH / PE. The ink provided the film with a blue color on the entire surface of the film. The film was able to be thermoformed to include a closure assembly with a cap that was formed in the film.

Example 2

Blue Printed Film with Clear Window

The film had a first sheet with a structure

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150 cast polypropylene ga

INK

Formable PET ga adhesive

Adhesive

3.5 thousand high clarity polyethylene

The first sheet had a nominal thickness of 5.76 thousandths of an inch. The high clarity polyethylene was arranged in a portion of the film such that when the package formed a clear window was provided in a portion of the package side walls. The film further includes a second sheet disposed on the first sheet in a region that was formed on the top wall. The second sheet had a nominal thickness of 10,000 and was formed from PET. The film also includes a third sheet arranged on the first sheet opposite the second sheet. The third sheet had a nominal thickness of 7 thousand and was formed from PLA / EVOH / PE. The ink provided the film with a blue color on the entire surface of the film. The film was able to be thermoformed to include a closure assembly with a cap that was formed in the film.

Example 3

Transparent film

The film had a first sheet with a laminated structure as follows:

178

140 BOPP ga

PET ADH ga

ADH

3.5 thousand high clarity polyethylene

The first sheet had a nominal thickness of 5.82 thousandths of an inch. The package produced from the film was clear. The film also included two sheets of PLA, each with a nominal thickness of 4.75 thousandths of an inch, arranged one on top of the other on the first sheet and in a region of the film corresponding to the top wall of the package.

Example 4 Elastic modulus

The films were evaluated for their rigidity. It has been observed that films need to have sufficient rigidity such that this package retains its shape when the product is introduced into the package, but must still have sufficient flexibility to pass through the filler and forming material. Table 1 provides a list of materials and the measured drying module. Table 2 provides the different laminate drying module. The stiffness of the laminate is an average value between the stiffest tape in the laminate and the softest tape. Stiffness (measured by 1% secant modulus) was measured using ASTM D882 at 23 ° C.

179 i

TABLE 1. Secant modulus (psi)

<td></td><td>MD</td><td>TD</td>

<td>Cello</td><td> 362,500</td><td> 182,500</td>

<td>BOPP</td><td> 305,850</td><td> 376,900</td>

<td>NYLON</td><td> 505,706</td><td> 425,415</td>

<td>PLA</td><td> 256,269</td><td> 218,460</td>

<td>CAST PP</td><td> 70,000</td><td> 65,000</td>

The values ​​in Table 1 are plotted in Figure 49. Table 2 below provides the secant modulus of different laminates that can be used in various aspects of the description.

TABLE 2

Dryer module of different laminates

<td>REAL MATERIAL</td><td>CLASS CODES</td><td>PSI MD voltage module</td><td>PSI -TD voltage module</td>

<td>1,5mil LLDPE / 60 BON /1.5 LLDPE</td><td>LLDPE / NYB / LLDPE</td><td> 60165</td><td> 69852</td>

<td>120 OPP / 120 OPP</td><td>PPCX2 / PPCX2</td><td> 146843</td><td> 244738</td>

<td>2.0mil LLDPE / 60 BON / 2.0 12321.0</td><td>LLDPE / NYB / PEMB</td><td> 42000</td><td> 50000</td>

<td>48 PET / 0015 LLDPE</td><td>PETTC / LLDLD</td><td> 97635</td><td> 115209</td>

<td>60ga HEAT SEALABLE PET</td><td>PETUS</td><td> 290627</td><td> 296745</td>

<td>70- OPP / 48 MET PET / 0025 LLDPE</td><td>PP / PETM / LLDPE</td><td> 85524</td><td> 122638</td>

<td>1.5mil .202 / 60 OEB / 2.0mil .202</td><td>PEMT / NYE / PEMT</td><td> 42610</td><td> 47201</td>

<td>120 SUPERECO / 002 .801</td><td>BIODEG BOPP / SEALANT EVOH</td><td> 80305</td><td> 103249</td>

180

<td>REAL MATERIAL</td><td>CLASS CODES</td><td>Mod ..... PSI voltage - MD</td><td>PSI -TD voltage</td>

<td>120 SUPERECO / 004 .801</td><td>BIODEG BOPP / SEALANT EVOH</td><td> 63538</td><td></td>

<td>250HB Cello / 002 LLDPE</td><td>CELLULOSE / LLDPE</td><td> 120994</td><td> 84558</td>

<td>50 PVDC PET / 002 LLDPE</td><td>PETC / LLDPE</td><td> 91006</td><td> 91777</td>

<td>48 PET / 00225 CX5-12321.302</td><td>PET / SEALANT EVOH from 5 layers</td><td> 99273</td><td> 106232</td>

<td>48 MET PET / 00225 LLDPE</td><td>PETM / LLDLD</td><td> 75206</td><td> 76481</td>

<td>60 ΒΘΝ / 00175 3% EVA</td><td>NYB / EVA SEALANT</td><td> 90605</td><td> 82013</td>

<td>70 OPP / 0015 LLDPE (SERIES 8)</td><td>PP / LLDPE</td><td> 48391</td><td> 91777</td>

<td>48PET / 4.0 K191</td><td>PET / PE</td><td> 42611</td><td> 46298</td>

<td>48 PET / 35 FOIL / 48 PET / 2 SURLYN</td><td>PET / FOIL / PET / SURLYN</td><td> 168582</td><td> 143072</td>

<td>48PET / 0025.0</td><td>PET / SEALANT EVOH from 5 layers</td><td> 91777</td><td> 94326</td>

<td>48 PET / HDPE / EVA</td><td>PET / REMOVABLE</td><td> 113099</td><td> 135348</td>

<td>XP360 (60BON / 2,875.0)</td><td>NY / SEALANT EVOH's 5 layers</td><td> 92832</td><td> 91777</td>

&gt;

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Aspects of the description

Aspect 1. An apparatus for forming a film in a resealable container, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated forming tube extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a longitudinally opposite second end, forming tube adapted to form the film as the film moves in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the forming tube having a

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interior hollow adapted to receive a product arranged inside the container;

a first heating station including a first heating element for heating a first portion of the film as the film moves in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the first heating element being disposed offset from the forming tube between the first and second ends of the forming tube; and a first thermoforming station for thermoforming the first portion of the film, the first thermoforming station, including a first mold element disposed between the first heating element assembly and the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 2. The apparatus of aspect 1 further comprising a primary frame extending along the first longitudinal axis, with at least a portion of the forming tube adjacent a portion of the main frame for supporting the forming tube.

Aspect 3. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a first end of the primary frame is disposed adjacent the first end of the forming tube and wherein a second end of the frame extends beyond the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 4. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, which further comprises a first modular frame secured in a detachable manner to the primary frame, where

182 the first heating station portion of the first modular frame is secured and at least a portion of the first thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular frame.

Aspect 5. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first mold element is attached to a portion of the forming tube.

Aspect 6. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the portion of the forming tube is adjacent to the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 7. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first thermoforming station includes a second mold element cooperating with the first mold element for thermoforming the first portion of the film, the second mold element is movable in relation to the first element of the mold.

Aspect 8. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second mold element is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis relative to the first mold element.

Aspect 9. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first mold element is not directly secured to the forming tube.

Aspect 10. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the longitudinal axis extends in a

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Aspect 11. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a first fold assembly adapted to fold a first folded feature into the film, the first fold station coupled to the main frame and disposed between the second end of the forming tube and the second end of the main frame.

Aspect 12. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second fold assembly adapted to fold a second folded feature into the film, the second fold assembly disposed between the first fold assembly and the second end of the main frame. .

Aspect 13. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a first seal jaw assembly disposed between the thermoforming station and the first fold assembly, the first seal jaw assembly with a pair of seal bars which it extends in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis.

Aspect 14. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein each of the seal bars has a channel extending therethrough, the channel of each of the seal bars being aligned such that when the seal couple to seal a portion of the film, the channels cooperate to create elongated unsealed ventilation in the

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Aspect 16. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second seal jaw assembly disposed downstream of the first seal jaw assembly for sealing the vent in the film.

Aspect 17. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a product settling station upstream of the second seal jaw assembly.

Aspect 18. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the main frame includes the support plate at least one arranged normal to the first longitudinal axis, where a portion of the forming tube is arranged through a cutout formed in the support plate at least one.

Aspect 19. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second modular frame adapted to detachly secure it in the main frame, where a second heating station is secured to a first portion of the second modular frame and at least a portion a second thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular frame, wherein the second thermoforming station is different from the first thermoforming station.

Aspect 20. The apparatus of any of the aspects

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above, further comprising comprising this * film attached to the primary frame, the film roll station adapted to support a roll of the film, the film roll station positioned such that the film extends from the film roll station to the first end of the forming tube.

Aspect 21. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, which further comprises a product funnel to receive a product that must be placed inside the container, the product funnel being coupled to the main frame and the product funnel having a first open end and a second open end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second end of the product funnel arranged adjacent to the first end of the forming tube so that the product enters the first end of the product funnel is directed into the hollow interior of the forming tube.

Aspect 22. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a reject station disposed between the second end of the frame and the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 23. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the reject station includes a first ramp arranged at an angle to a reference plane normal to the first longitudinal axis, the first ramp having a first end that is arranged adjacent and under the

186 second end of the forming tube such that the

<img file="MX360503B_D0025.tif" />

Partially formed reclosable container contacts the first end of the first ramp when the partially formed reclosable container is released from the forming tube.

Aspect 24. An apparatus for forming a film in a resealable container, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated forming tube extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a longitudinally opposite second end, the forming tube adapted to form the film as the film travels from the first end of the forming tube to the second end of the forming tube in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis, the forming tube having an interior gap adapted to receive a product that must be placed inside the container;

a primary frame extending along the first longitudinal axis, with at least a portion of the forming tube adjacent a portion of the main frame for supporting the forming tube;

a film roll station attached to the main frame, the film roll station adapted to support a film roll, the film roll station positioned such that the film extends from the film roll station to the first end of the forming tube;

a first heating station including a first

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Aspect 25. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first thermoforming station includes a second mold element cooperating with the first mold element for thermoforming the first portion of the film, the second mold element being movable relative to the first element of the mold.

Aspect 26. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a first end of the primary frame is disposed adjacent the first end of the forming tube and wherein a second end of the frame extends beyond the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 27. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first longitudinal axis extends in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction.

Aspect 28. The apparatus of any of the aspects

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, which further comprises a first fastened in a detachable manner to the main frame, where the first heating station is secured to a first portion of the first modular framework and at least a portion 5 of the first thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular frame.

Aspect 29. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a first fold assembly adapted to fold a first feature folded into the film, the first fold station coupled to the main frame and disposed between the second end of the forming tube and the second end of the main frame.

Aspect 30. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second fold assembly adapted to fold a second feature folded into the film, the second fold assembly disposed between the first fold assembly and the second end of the frame. principal.

Aspect 31. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a first seal jaw assembly disposed between the second end of the forming tube and the first fold assembly, the first seal jaw assembly with a pair of bars of seal that extends in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis.

Aspect 32. The apparatus of any of the aspects

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channel extending therethrough, the channel of each of the seal bars being aligned such that when the seal bars are coupled to seal a portion of the film, the channels cooperate to create elongated unsealed ventilation in the film .

Aspect 33. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second release jaw assembly disposed downstream of the first seal jaw assembly to seal the vent in the film.

Aspect 34. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a product settling station upstream of the second seal jaw assembly.

Aspect 35. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a second modular frame adapted to be detachably secured to the main frame, wherein a second heating station is secured to a first portion of the second modular frame and at least a portion a second thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular frame, wherein the second thermoforming station is different from the first thermoforming station.

Aspect 36. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, which further comprises a product funnel for

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[BOTUTO MEXICANO receive a product that must be disposed within the product funnel being coupled to the main frame and the product funnel having a first open end and a second open end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second end of the disposed product funnel adjacent to the first end of the forming tube such that the product entering the first end of the product funnel is directed into the hollow interior of the forming tube.

Aspect 37. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a reject station disposed between the second end of the frame and the second end of the forming tube, the reject station including a first ramp arranged at an angle to a normal reference plane to the first longitudinal axis, the first ramp having a first end that is disposed adjacent to and below the second end of the forming tube such that the film forming a reclosable, partially formed container contacts the first end of the first ramp when the container closable, partially formed is released from the forming tube.

Aspect 38. The apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, in which a first segment of the film extends between the film roll station and the first end of the forming tube along a second longitudinal axis.

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Aspect 39. The apparatus of any of the above, wherein the second longitudinal axis is not parallel or coaxial with the first longitudinal axis.

Aspect 40. A method of forming a film in a container that can be resealed using a forming apparatus, the forming apparatus including an elongated forming tube extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second longitudinally opposite end, the forming tube having an internal hollow adapted to receive a product that must be placed inside the container, the method comprising:

advancing a first portion of the film from the first end of the forming tube to the second end of the forming tube in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis;

heating the first portion of the film in a first heating station downstream of the first end of the forming tube; and forming a first feature in the first portion of the film at a thermoforming station downstream of the first heating station.

Aspect 41. The method of any of the previous aspects, in addition to comprising:

advancing the first portion of the film from a film roll station to the first end of the forming tube before advancing the first portion of the film from the first end

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Aspect 42. The method of any of the previous aspects, wherein the formation of a first characteristic in the first portion of the film in the thermoforming station includes the formation of the first characteristic in the first portion of the film by a first element. of mold secured to a portion of the forming tube.

Aspect 43. The method of any of the preceding aspects, in which a second mold element cooperates with the first mold element to form the first feature, the second mold element being movable relative to the first mold element.

Aspect 44. The method of any of the preceding aspects, in which the formation of the first feature in the first portion of the film at the thermoforming station includes forming a lid that can be reclosed in the first portion of the film. , the lid being adapted to allow a user to access an interior volume of the container that can be closed again.

Aspect 45. The method of any of the preceding aspects, where the formation of the resealable lid in the first portion of the film includes forming a hinge portion and a flap portion, the hinge portion pivotally engaging. the portion of the flap to a closable container body panel.

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Aspect 46. The method of any of the above, wherein the formation of the first feature in the first portion of the film at the thermoforming station includes forming a removable cap on the first portion of the film, the removable cap being adapted to allow a user accessing an interior volume of the container that can be closed again.

Aspect 47. The method of any of the previous aspects, which also includes:

folding a second portion of the film by a first fold assembly disposed downstream of the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 48. The method of any of the previous aspects, which also includes:

folding a third portion of the film through a second fold assembly disposed downstream of the first fold assembly.

Aspect 49. The method of any of the previous aspects, which also includes:

sealing a fourth portion of the film by a seal jaw assembly prior to folding the second portion of the film by a first fold assembly.

Aspect 50. The method of aspect 43, wherein the sealing of the fourth portion of the film includes partial sealing of the fourth portion of the film to create a ventilation channel in

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Aspect 51. The method of aspect 34, further comprising:

introducing a product to be disposed within the container at a first open end of a product funnel, the product funnel having a second open end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second end of the product funnel being arranged adjacent to the first end of the tube Forming such that it enters the first end of the product funnel is directed into the hollow interior of the forming tube.

Aspect 52. The method of aspect 34, further comprising:

securing a first modular frame to a main frame, where the forming tube engages the main frame to support the forming tube, and where the first heating station is secured to a first portion of the first modular frame and at least one portion The first thermoforming station is secured in a second portion of the first modular frame.

Aspect 53. The method of aspect 34, further comprising:

securing a first modular frame to a main frame, where the forming tube is coupled to the first modular frame, and where the first heating station is secured to

195 a first portion of the first frame modulates a secured portion in a

Appearance

54.

also:

<img file="MX360503B_D0026.tif" />

there is the first thermoforming station second portion of the first modular frame.

The aspect method 46, which comprises removing the first modular frame from the primary frame; and securing a second modular framework to the main framework, wherein a second heating station is secured to a first portion of the second modular framework and at least a portion of a second thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular framework, wherein the second thermoforming station is different from the first thermoforming station.

Aspect 55. A method of forming a film in a container that can be resealed using a forming apparatus, the forming apparatus including an elongated forming tube extending along a first longitudinal axis from a first end to a second longitudinally opposite end, the forming tube having an internal hollow adapted to receive a product that must be placed inside the container, the method comprising:

advancing a first portion of the film from a film roll station to a first end of the forming tube;

heat the first portion of the film in a first

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO 1Β; 11Ι! | Ί · 1ΐΟ heating station upstream of the forming tube; and forming a first feature in the first portion of the film at a thermoforming station downstream of the first heating station and upstream of the first end of the forming tube.

Aspect 56. The method of aspect 48, where the formation of a first feature in the first portion of the film at the thermoforming station includes forming the first feature in the first portion of the film by a first mold element and a second element mold element cooperating with the first mold element to form the first feature, the second mold element being movable relative to the first mold element.

Aspect 57. The method of aspect 48, wherein the formation of a first feature in the first portion of the film at the thermoforming station includes forming a lid that can be resealed in the first portion of the film, the lid being adapted to allow a user to access an interior volume of the container that can be closed again.

Aspect 58. The method of aspect 50, wherein the formation of the resealable lid in the first portion of the film includes the formation of a hinge portion and a flap portion, the hinge portion engaging

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO jjg ......... Β | β · ί «Ι * · ΐΟ pivot the flap portion to a container panel that can be closed again.

Aspect 59. The method of aspect 48, wherein the formation of the first feature in the first portion of the film at the thermoforming station includes forming a removable cap on the first portion of the film, the removable cap being adapted to allow a user accessing an interior volume of the container that can be closed again.

Aspect 60. The method of aspect 48, further comprising:

advancing the first portion of the film from the first end of the forming tube to the second end of the forming tube in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Aspect 61. The method of aspect 48, further comprising:

folding a second portion of the film by a first fold assembly disposed downstream of the second end of the forming tube.

Aspect 62. The method of aspect 48, further comprising:

folding a third portion of the film through a second fold assembly disposed downstream of the first fold assembly.

Aspect 63. The method of aspect 54, which comprises

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sealing a fourth portion of the film by a seal jaw assembly prior to folding the second portion of the film from a first fold assembly.

Aspect 64. The method of aspect 56, wherein the sealing of the fourth portion of the film includes partial sealing of the fourth portion of the film to create a ventilation channel in the fourth portion of the film.

Aspect 65. The method of aspect 48, further comprising introducing a product to be disposed within the container at the first open end of a product funnel, the product funnel having a second open end longitudinally opposite the first end, the second end of the funnel of product disposed adjacent to the first end of the forming tube such that the product entering the first end of the product funnel is directed into the hollow interior of the forming tube.

Aspect 66. The method of aspect 48, further comprising:

securing a first modular frame to a main frame, where the forming tube engages the main frame to support the forming tube, and where the first heating station is secured to a first portion of the first modular frame and at least one portion of the first thermoforming station is secured in a second

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE ΐ | · ϊ1 || Β · ί · * · Ο portion of the first modular frame.

Aspect 67. The method of aspect 59, further comprising:

removing the first modular frame from the primary frame; and securing a second modular framework to the main framework, wherein a second heating station is secured to a first portion of the second modular framework and at least a portion of a second thermoforming station is secured to a second portion of the first modular framework, wherein the second thermoforming station is different from the first thermoforming station.

Aspect 68. A resealable packaging assembly comprising:

a container at least partially formed by a first sheet, the container with a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume, the container with an opening through at least one of the plurality of walls;

a closure assembly secured to the container adjacent the opening, at least a portion of the closure assembly comprised of a second sheet and a portion of the first sheet, the closure assembly including a lid member and a hinge portion, in which the cap member is pivotable on the hinge portion between a first position where the cap member releasably engages a first portion

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE Wej ......... BT “JJí &lt;l | Q of the container around the opening and an i in which the lid member pivots away from a portion of the opening on the hinge portion, allowing the user accesses the interior volume through the opening, wherein a first coupling feature is provided on the container adjacent the opening and a second coupling feature is provided on the lid member of the closure assembly such that the first coupling feature couples the second coupling feature to securely the lid member is removable to the container when the lid member is in the first position.

Aspect 69. A resealable packaging assembly comprising:

a container at least partially formed by a first sheet, the container having a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume, the container with an opening through at least one of the plurality of walls;

a closure assembly secured to the container adjacent the opening, at least a portion of the closure assembly comprised of a second sheet and a portion of the first sheet, the closure assembly including a removable lid member, the lid member being movable between a first position where the lid member engages

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO | Ββ ......... releasable a first portion of the container opening and a second position where the lid member is not in contact with the container, allowing the user to access the interior volume through from the opening, wherein a first coupling feature is provided on the container adjacent the opening and a second coupling feature is provided on the closure assembly cover member such that the first coupling feature couples the second coupling feature to securely the lid member is removable to the container when the lid member is in the first position.

Aspect 70. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first coupling feature extends to at least one of the container's ascending or descending.

Aspect 71. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the foregoing aspects, in which the second coupling feature extends at least one upward or downward of the lid member of the closure assembly.

Aspect 72. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the second sheet is secured to the first sheet by an adhesive and the adhesive is applied to one or both of a second side of the

202 second sheet and a first side of the first sheet

Aspect 73. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the second mating feature is integrally formed in the lid member of the closure assembly.

Aspect 74. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first coupling feature is integrally formed with the container.

Aspect 75. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first coupling feature is a ridge and the second coupling feature is a channel adapted to releasably receive the ridge.

Aspect 76. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first coupling feature is a channel and the second coupling feature is a ridge adapted to be releasably received at the ridge.

Aspect 77. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the cover member has a first side edge and a second side edge parallel to the first side edge.

Aspect 78. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein a

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INSTireiO MEXICANO Ipjg ......... BIIBiSiilQ first portion of each of the first coupling and the second coupling feature is elongated and has a longitudinal axis parallel to the first lateral edge and a second portion of each first coupling feature and the second coupling feature is elongated and has a longitudinal axis parallel to the second lateral edge.

Aspect 79. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a spout is arranged adjacent or in contact with the opening.

Aspect 80. The packaging assembly that can be closed again from any of the previous aspects, where a spout is integrally formed in the container.

Aspect 81. The packaging assembly that can be reclosed from any of the previous aspects, where the spout extends at least upwards or downwards from the container.

Aspect 82. The resealable packaging assembly containers of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the lid member has a first end edge extending between a first end of the first side edge and a first end of the second side edge.

Aspect 83. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first end edge is arranged normal to the first side edge and

204 the second side edge.

Aspect 84. The assembly of packaging that can become previous aspects, where the

Aspect 85. The packaging assembly that can be turned into previous aspects, wherein at least a portion of the edge of the first end edge is at least partially curved.

Aspect 86. The resealable packaging assembly of the above aspects, a third portion of each mating feature and second feature of is an axis to the first end edge.

Aspect 87.

The resealable packaging assembly of either a third portion of each of the first engagement feature and second engagement feature is a nonlinear axis that is offset from the first end edge.

Appearance 88. The lid member returnable packaging assembly has a second end edge extending between a second end of the first side edge and a second side edge.

205

Aspect 89. The packaging assembly which is to be closed from any of the preceding aspects, in which the second end edge is arranged normal to the first side edge and the second side edge.

Aspect 90. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein any of the first end edge, the second end edge, the first side edge and the second side edge cooperate to define a spout.

Aspect 91. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein at least a portion of the second end edge is non-linear.

Aspect 92. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the cover member has a second end edge extending between a second end of the first side edge and a second end of the second side edge. .

Aspect 93. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a fourth portion of each of the first coupling characteristic and second coupling characteristic is elongated and has a longitudinal axis parallel to the second edge. extreme.

Aspect 94. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the above aspects, wherein a

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE || · | ......... BBIsJMfQ fourth portion of each of the first coupling and the second coupling characteristic is elongated and has a nonlinear axis that is deviated from the second extreme edge.

Aspect 95. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the first portion of the first coupling feature, the second portion of the first coupling feature and the third portion of the first feature mating form a continuous, single characteristic.

Aspect 96. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first portion of the first coupling feature, the second portion of the first coupling feature, the third portion of the first form of coupling characteristic and the fourth portion of the first coupling characteristic a continuous, single characteristic that surrounds the opening.

Aspect 97. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the opening has any of a rectangular, oval, oblong, round and / or polygonal shape.

Aspect 98. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which a third sheet is secured to a second portion of the

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container adjacent to the opening for righ portion of the container.

Aspect 99. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a second side of the second sheet is adjacent to a first side of the first sheet and a first side of the third sheet is adjacent to a second side of the first sheet.

Aspect 100. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the third sheet is attached to the first sheet.

Aspect 101. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the third sheet is attached to the first sheet by an adhesive, heat seal, glue and / or ultrasonic welding

Aspect 102. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, in which the third sheet is integrally formed with the first sheet.

Aspect 103. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the foregoing aspects, wherein the closure assembly lid member has a convex portion abutting the hinge portion, the convex portion adapted to cooperate with the hinge to keep the cover member in the second position.

Aspect 104. The packaging assembly that can be resealed from any of the previous aspects, where the

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MEXICAN INSTireTO fBjg ......... ΒΙΒ |! ||| Ι · 1: Ο hinge portion comprises a pair of x *. * arranged that can extend internally from a cap edge defining an edge of the cap member outer perimeter, and in which the cap member pivots from the first position to the second position on a portion of the closure member extending between a terminal end of each of the cuts.

Aspect 105. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein when the lid member is pivoted in the second position, a first lid projection and a second lid projection are deformed into a position where an edge formed by one of more segments comprising the cut engaging a portion of the closure assembly to support the cover member in the second position.

Aspect 106. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the closure assembly includes a locking mechanism that includes a locking feature that is received on a receiving feature when the cap member it is in the second position.

Aspect 107. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, where the locking feature is a protrusion extending upward from the cap member, and the receiving feature is

209 A receiving slot that locks freely

Aspect 108. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the lid consists of first and second projections arranged in a vicinity of the hinge portion, the first and second projections being movable between a first position in which the projections are generally parallel to the wall having the opening and a second position in which the projections are generally perpendicular to the wall with the opening so as to keep the lid on the second position where the cover member is pivoted away from a portion of the opening on the hinge portion.

Aspect 109. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the projections are semicircular in shape.

Aspect 110. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the projections are arranged equidistant from a cut in the lid defining the hinge portion.

Aspect 111. The resealable packaging assembly of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the projections are arranged not equidistant from a cut in the lid defining the hinge portion.

Aspect 112. A method of manufacturing a resealable packaging assembly comprising a

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provide a first sheet;

providing a second sheet attached to a first portion of the first sheet;

forming a cover member of a closure assembly of a portion of the second sheet such that at least a portion of the cover member is attached to the first portion of the first sheet;

forming a hinge portion of the second leaf closure assembly, the hinge portion being disposed adjacent to the lid member; and wherein the lid member is pivotable on the hinge portion between a first position where the lid member releasably couples a first portion of the container surrounding an opening formed in the first sheet and a second position where the cap member pivots away from a portion of the opening.

Aspect 113. A method of manufacturing a resealable packaging assembly comprising a container defining an interior volume and having an opening adapted to access the interior volume, the method comprising:

provide a first sheet;

providing a second sheet attached to a first portion of the first sheet; and

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I ιι η UI Λ6βί5Μ · ι Οϊ I ¡VI I ®Β * β · ν^: Λ ο Λ Α '* * * || g ......... / form a cover member of a mounting portion of the second sheet such that at least a portion of the cover member is attached to the first portion of the first sheet, in which the lid member is movable between a first position where the lid member releasably engages a first portion of the container around the opening and a second position where the lid member is not in contact with the container, thereby allowing the user to access the interior volume through the opening.

Aspect 114. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein securing the portion of the first sheet to the first portion of the second sheet occurs prior to the formation of the cover member of the second sheet.

Aspect 115. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein securing the portion of the first sheet to the first portion of the second sheet occurs simultaneously with the formation of the cover members of the second sheet.

Aspect 116. The method of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising forming the container from the first sheet, the container having a plurality of walls cooperating to define the interior volume.

Aspect 117. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the formation of the container of the first sheet occurs after forming the hinge member of the closure assembly.

212

Appearance

11d. The method of any of the foregoing, wherein the formation of a container from the first sheet includes forming a portion simultaneously with the formation of the hinge cover member 'i Οϊ of the closure assembly.

Appearance 119. The method of the foregoing aspects, further comprising forming a first envelope-arranged adjacent-opening and closing-engaging feature such that the first engaging feature couples the second engaging feature releasably secures the lid member to the container. when the cover member is in the first position.

Aspect 120. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the formation of the first coupling characteristic and the second coupling characteristic occurs simultaneously with the formation of the cap member.

Aspect 121. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the formation of the first coupling characteristic includes forming the first coupling characteristic as a ridge and forming the second coupling characteristic includes forming the second coupling characteristic as a matched channel. to releasably receive the ridge.

213 i

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<td>Appearance</td><td>122. The</td><td>method</td><td colspan="2">from anyone</td>

<td>previous in</td><td>where the</td><td colspan="2">formation of the first characteristic</td><td>of</td>

<td>coupling</td><td>It includes</td><td>to form</td><td>the first feature</td><td>of</td>

<td>coupling</td><td colspan="2">like a channel and fo</td><td>Sign the second characteristic</td><td>of</td>

<td>coupling</td><td>It includes</td><td>to form</td><td>the second feature</td><td>of</td>

<td>coupling</td><td colspan="2">like a ridge</td><td>adapted to be received</td><td>of</td>

<td>free form</td><td colspan="2">e on the ridge.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Appearance</td><td>123. The</td><td>method</td><td colspan="2">of any of the aspects</td>

above, which also includes:

providing a third sheet secured to a second side of the first sheet adjacent to the first portion of the first sheet, wherein the second sheet is secured to a first side of the first sheet, the third sheet reinforcing the first sheet.

Aspect 124. The method of any of the previous aspects, which also includes:

wherein securing the third sheet to the second side of the first sheet occurs prior to the formation of the cover members of the closure assembly.

Aspect 125. The method of any of the preceding aspects, in which securing the third sheet to the second side of the first sheet includes applying an adhesive or glue to one or both of the third sheet and the first sheet.

Aspect 126. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein securing the third sheet to the second side of the first sheet includes ultrasonic welding or heat sealing of a

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Aspect 127. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein securing the third sheet to the second side of the first sheet includes integrally forming the third sheet with the second side of the first sheet.

Aspect 128. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein forming the opening occurs simultaneously with the formation of the lid members and the hinge portion.

Aspect 129. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein forming the opening occurs prior to the formation of the lid members and the hinge portion.

Aspect 130. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein forming the cover member of the closure assembly includes thermoforming the cover member of a closure assembly.

Aspect 131. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein forming the first coupling characteristic and the second coupling characteristic includes thermoforming the first coupling characteristic and the second coupling characteristic.

Aspect 132. The method of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the thermoforming of the first coupling characteristic and the second coupling characteristic occurs simultaneously with the formation of the cap member.

Appearance 133. A flexible material for a flexible package,

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MISXICAN INSTITUTE fjjgg ......... [ijlMO comprising:

a panel opening region comprising a first sheet; and a second sheet secured to at least a portion of the first sheet in the panel opening region, where:

the panel opening region is configured to define a panel of the package with an opening to access an interior volume of the package, the panel opening region comprises an opening boundary configured to define the panel opening region comprises a first zone and a second zone adjacent to the first zone, a first portion of the second sheet is secured to a first portion of the first sheet in the first zone, a second portion of the second sheet is secured to a second portion of the first sheet in the second zone, a first peel force between the first and second sheets in the first zone is greater than a second peel force between the first and second sheets second in the second zone, and at least the portion of the second portion is configured to be thermoformed.

Aspect 134. The flexible material of aspect 133, where the second breakout force is about 10% a

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Aspect 135. The flexible material of aspect 133 or 134, where the first breakout force is at least 500 gms / in.

Aspect 136. The flexible material of any of aspects 133 to 135, in which the second breakout force is from about 0 gms / in to about 200 gms / in.

Aspect 137. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first breakout force is from about 500 gms / in to about 2000 gms / in.

Aspect 138. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising an adhesive disposed in the opening panel region on one or both of the first and second sheets and a damping agent arranged in the second zone in one or both of the first and second sheets, where the buffering agent in the second zone is applied with a coverage of about 50% to about 100%.

Aspect 139. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a marking on the first sheet in the panel opening region, where the marking defines the opening of the package, and the first zone is disposed on opposite sides of the marked.

Aspect 140. The flexible material of any of the

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previous aspects, where the second zone zone on at least three sides.

Aspect 141. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a marking on the first sheet in the panel opening region, wherein the marking defines an outer boundary of the first zone and the opening of the package.

Aspect 142. The flexible material of aspect 141, wherein the panel opening region further comprises a third zonaο zone between the first and second zones, the marking defining a third portion of the second sheet is secured to a third portion of the first sheet, and the third zone has a third peel force is less than the first peel force.

Aspect 143. The flexible material of aspect 142, in which the third release force is substantially equal to or less than the release force of the second zone.

Aspect 144. The flexible material of aspect 142, wherein the third breakout force is from about 0 gms / in to about 200 gms / in.

Aspect 145. The flexible material of any of aspects 142 to 144, further comprising an adhesive disposed in the panel opening region on one or both of the first and second sheets and a damping agent disposed on the second and third sheets in one or both of the first and

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100%, and the buffering agent in the third zone is applied having a coverage of about 50% to about 100%.

Aspect 146. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the panel opening region comprises a fourth zone adjacent to the second zone versus the first zone, wherein a fourth portion of the second sheet is secured to a fourth portion of the first sheet of the fourth zone, and the fourth zone has a fourth release force that is less than the first zone.

Aspect 147.

The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein a second portion of the second sheet is secured to a second portion of the first sheet in the second zone.

Aspect 148. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the opening panel further comprises a flange area, wherein a flange portion of the second sheet is arranged in a flange portion of the first sheet and has a third release force with the flange portion of the first sheet, and the flange portion of the second sheet is configured to define a flange.

Aspect 149. The flexible material of aspect 148, wherein the pullout force of the flange is in a range of 0 gms / in. To about 30 gms / in.

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Aspect 150. The flexible material of the aspee the flange area further comprises a damping agent disposed on the first or second sheet.

Aspect 151. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising an adhesive disposed in the panel opening region on one or both of the first and second sheets and a damping agent disposed in the second, third and flange areas in one or both of the first and second leaves, where the buffering agent in the second zone is applied with a coverage of about 50% to about 100%, the damping agent in the third zone was applied with a coverage of about 50% to about 100% and the damping agent in the flange zone is applied with a coverage of about 100%.

Aspect 152. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first portion of the first sheet is sealed to the first portion of the second sheet by at least one seal.

Aspect 153. The flexible material of aspect 152, wherein the seal at least one is selected from the group consisting of a heat seal, an ultrasonic seal, a weld, a press, and combinations thereof.

Aspect 154. The material of aspect 152 or 153, wherein the second portion of the first sheet is secured to the second portion of the second sheet with an adhesive.

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Aspect 155. The flexible material of the above aspects, further comprising a third sheet secured to a portion of the first sheet in the panel opening region.

Aspect 156. The flexible material of aspect 155, further comprising at least one wall region comprising the first sheet, wherein the wall region at least one is configured to define at least one of the walls of the package, and the third sheet is secured to a portion of the first sheet in the wall region at least one.

Aspect 157. The flexible material of aspect 156, wherein the at least one wall region consists of the first and second opposite boundaries configured to define the first and second boundaries of the wall, and a portion of the third sheet at least partially overlaps. with one or both of the first and second limits.

Aspect 158. The flexible material of aspect 157, in which the third sheet consists of a reduced line of force in a portion of the third sheet that overlaps at least partially with the first and / or second boundary.

Aspect 159. The flexible material of aspect 155 or 156, wherein the third sheet fully overlaps the panel opening region.

Aspect 160. A flexible material for a flexible package, comprising:

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the panel opening region is configured to define a package panel having an opening to access an interior volume of the package, the panel opening region further comprises first and second opposing boundaries configured to define the first and second panel edges of the package with the opening, the third sheet comprises a reduced force portion that at least partially overlaps with one or both first and second limits of the panel opening region, and the third sheet consists of a reduced force line in at least a portion of the portion reduced strength.

Aspect 161. The flexible material of aspect 160, wherein a first region of the third sheet overlaps with the first boundary of the panel opening region at least one and a second region of the third sheet overlaps with the second boundary of the at least one panel opening region and the first and second regions of the third sheet are not contiguous.

Aspect 162. The flexible material of aspect 160 or 161, which

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INSTITUTO TONO MABlltÍ'tlO further comprises at least one region for stopping the first sheet, where the at least one wall region is configured to define at least one wall of the package, and a portion of the third sheet is secured to at least one portion of the first sheet in the wall region at least one.

Aspect 163. The flexible material of aspect 161, wherein the wall region at least one comprises first and second opposite boundaries configured to define the wall edges, a portion of the third sheet at least partially overlaps one or both of the first and second limits and the third leaf consists of a reduced line of force in the portion of the third leaf that overlaps at least partially with the first and / or second limits.

Aspect 164. The flexible material of aspect 163, where the third sheet extends between and overlaps with the first and second limits.

Aspect 165. The flexible material of aspect 161 to 164, wherein the third sheet completely overlaps with the first sheet in the wall region at least one.

Aspect 166. The flexible material of aspect 163, where a first region of the third sheet overlaps with the first boundary of the wall region at least one and a second region of the third sheet overlaps with the second boundary of the region of wall at least one, and the first and second regions of the third sheet are not contiguous.

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Aspect 167. The flexible material of aspects 161 to 166, wherein the portion of the third sheet secured to the first sheet in the wall region at least one is separated from the portion of the third sheet secured to the first sheet in the panel opening region.

Aspect 168. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising at least one wall region and at least one folding region comprising the first sheet, wherein the wall region at least one is configured to define at least one from the walls of the package, at least one folding region is adjacent to an opening boundary of the panel opening region and / or a boundary of the wall region of at least one and at least a fourth sheet secured to the first sheet in the folding region, wherein the folding region of at least one is configured to fold inward to define the edge of the package or package panel at the boundary.

Aspect 169. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second sheet comprises a flange region.

Aspect 170. The flexible material of aspect 169, wherein the first or second sheet further comprises a buffering agent in the flange region so that the flange region is not secured in the first sheet.

Aspect 171. The flexible material of any of the

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO above aspects, where at least one second sheet is releasable secured to at least a portion of the first sheet.

Aspect 172. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the panel opening region comprises an opening line of reduced force defining the opening of the package.

Aspect 173. The flexible material of any of the foregoing aspects, comprising a reduced force hinge line configured to define a hinge upon which a lid of a closure assembly rotates.

Aspect 174. The flexible material of aspect 173, where the line of the reduced force hinge does not overlap with the first line of least force.

Aspect 175. The flexible material of any of aspects 155 to 174, wherein the third sheet is substantially permanently secured to the first sheet.

Aspect 176. The flexible material of aspect 175, wherein the third sheet is secured to the first flexible sheet material with a permanent adhesive.

Aspect 177. The flexible material of any of aspects 155 to 176, wherein the first sheet is arranged between the second and third sheets.

Aspect 178. The flexible material of any of aspects 155 to 176, where the third sheet is secured to the

225 first sheet and secures on the

Appearance

179. The material aspects 155 to 177, wherein the third sheet comprises one consisting of PP, PET, PLA,

OPS, PS, PETG, polyamide, PE and blend, copolymers, laminates and combinations thereof.

Aspect 180. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second sheet has a thickness of at least 6 thousandths of an inch.

Aspect 181. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, in which the second sheet comprises a material selected from the group consisting of PP, PET, PLA,

OPS, PE, PS, polyamide, PETG, blends, copolymers, laminates, and combinations thereof.

Aspect 182. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first sheet comprises a material selected from the group consisting of PP, PE, NY, PET, PS, PLA, blends, copolymers, laminates, and combinations thereof.

Aspect 183. The flexible material of any of the preceding aspects comprises a plurality of panel opening regions discretely spaced along a longitudinal length of a plurality of flexible material, the plurality of opening panel regions comprising the first sheet, and a plurality of second sheets secured to the

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Aspect 184. The flexible material of aspect 183, further comprising a plurality of third sheets secured to the first sheet in each of the plurality of panel opening regions.

Aspect 185. A method of forming a flexible material comprising a panel opening region configured to define a package panel with an opening, the panel opening region comprising a first sheet, and a second sheet secured to the first sheet in at least the first and second zones, the first zone comprising a region in which an opening is configured to be formed, and the second zone adjacent to the first zone, the method comprising:

applying an adhesive in the panel opening region in at least the first and second zones; and apply to a buffering agent in the second zone; and securing the first sheet of the second sheet in the first and second zones, the first and second sheets having a first peeling force in the first zone and a second peeling force in the second zone, where the first peeling force is greater than the second breakout force where the second zone is configured to be

227 thermoformed.

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Aspect 186. The method of aspect 185, wherein the panel opening region comprises a third zone disposed between the first and second portions, and the method further comprises applying a damping agent to the third zone and securing the first sheet to the second sheet in the third zone, where the first and second sheets have a third peel force in the third zone, and the third peel force is less than the first peel force.

Aspect 187. The method of aspect 185 or 186, wherein the panel opening region further comprises a flange area, and the method further comprise a buffering agent to the flange area, wherein the buffering agent to have 100% of coverage in the tab region.

Appearance

188. The method of any of the aspects 185 to

187, which includes applying the damping agent to have about 50% to about 100% coverage in

188,

Aspect 189. The method of aspects 1 85 a further comprising forming a line of least resistance on the first sheet in the panel opening region.

Appearance

190. The method of aspect 189, where the first zone is delimited by

Appearance

191. The method of aspect 190, where

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Aspect 192. The method of aspect 189, where the first zone comprises the reduced line of force.

Aspect 193. The method of any of aspects 185 to 189, further comprising securing a third sheet to the first sheet in the panel opening region.

Aspect 194. The method of aspect 193, further comprising forming a line of least resistance on the third sheet to define the opening.

Aspect 195. The method of aspect 194, which comprises forming the line of least force simultaneously on the first and third leaves.

Aspect 196. The method of any of aspects 185 to 195, further comprising forming a line of reduced force on the second sheet to define a hinge upon which a lid of a closure assembly rotates.

Aspect 197. The method of aspect 196, in which the line of reduced force to form the opening and the line of least force to form the hinge do not overlap.

Appearance 198. A resealable package comprising:

a container at least partially formed by a first sheet, the container having a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume, the container with

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a second sheet attached to a portion of the first sheet on at least a two-walled portion of the package, wherein a portion of the second sheet provides a resealable flap disposed over the opening for the resealable closure of the package .

Aspect 199. The resealable package of aspect 198, where the second sheet is disposed on a boundary of two adjacent ones, where the boundary defines defines a package edge and the second sheet is marked or punctured in a region the limit.

Aspect 200. The method or apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a conveyor with a race-like track configuration.

Aspect 201. The method or apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a package receiving member arranged on a conveyor for receiving a package after removal of the forming tube.

Aspect 202. The method or apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a conveyor, wherein the conveyor consists of a heat member or glue to adhere a pack drag seal to the side of the pack.

Aspect 203. The method or apparatus of aspect 202, which

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE (118 (1 (8110) further comprises a fold member for dragging the package in contact with the side of the package.

Aspect 204. A resealable package mount according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the lid mount comprises a flange disposed in one corner of the lid mount.

Aspect 205. A resealable package mount in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, wherein the cap mount comprises a hinge adjacent one end of the panel opening region.

Aspect 206: A flexible container consisting of:

a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume, the plurality of the walls being defined by a first sheet, wherein the plurality of the walls comprises:

Opposite side walls each with a seal arranged along a portion of the side wall and one or more folds, the folds each comprising a portion of the first sheet folded into the interior volume and arranged at least partially under the seal , at least one wall defining an opening panel comprising at least a portion of an opening to access the interior volume, a second sheet attached to at least a portion of the first sheet, the second sheet at least partially

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO 1¾ ......... BIBi! LÍ »llO extending over at least three of the pluralidai where each of at least three of the plurality of the walls is adjacent to at least one of the others so minus three pluralities of walls, one of at least three of the plurality of walls is at least one wall defining the opening panel and a portion of the second sheet defines a resealable flap disposed over the opening for resealable closure to be sealed from the container, one of at least three of the plurality of the walls is a side wall, the second sheet extends over the borders between the adjacent ones of at least three of the plurality of the walls and a portion of the second sheet extends in at least one bend, and the second sheet includes a reduced line of force at or adjacent to a boundary between a portion of the second sheet extending in at least one fold and a portion of the second sheet extending through an adjacent one of the plurality of at least three of the walls between the side wall.

Aspect 207. The flexible container of aspect 206, wherein the second sheet includes lines of reduced force at each of the adjacent boundaries of at least three of the plurality of walls.

Aspect 208. The flexible container of aspect 206 or 207, wherein the second sheet has a thickness of 10 thousandths of an inch or less, the reduced line of force comprises one or both perforations with at least 10% cut openings,

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Aspect 209. The flexible container of aspect 207 or 209, wherein the second sheet is greater than 10 thousandths of an inch thick where at least one of the reduced force lines comprises one or two perforations with at least 50% openings. cut, the marking lines extending at least 50% in the thickness of the second sheet.

Aspect 210. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the wall at least one defining the opening panel includes four corners defined by the first sheet, the second sheet includes openings in the portions of the second sheet which are extends through the corners such that the corner extends through the opening.

Aspect 211. The flexible container of aspect 206, where:

at least three of the plurality of the walls comprise the wall at least one defining an opening panel, one of the side walls and a third wall adjacent to the wall at least one defining the opening panel, the second sheet is extends through the wall at least one defining the opening panel and over a first boundary disposed between the wall at least one defining the opening panel and the side wall,

233

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the side wall folds, the second sheet further extends over a second boundary arranged between the wall at least one defining the opening panel and the third wall, the second sheet extends at least partially the third wall, the second sheet it includes a first line of reduced force at or adjacent to the first limit, and the second sheet includes a second line of reduced force at or adjacent to the second limit.

Aspect 212. The flexible container of aspect 211, wherein the first and second lines of reduced force comprise the perforations and the first line of lower force has a higher percentage of cut opening than the second line of lower force.

Aspect 213. The flexible container of either aspect 211 or 212, where the first line of least force has about 50% to about 100% cut openings, and the second line of least force has about 1% to about 50% cut openings.

Aspect 214. The flexible container of aspect 213, wherein the first and second lines of reduced force comprise marking lines and the first line of least force has marked lines extending deeper into the

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Aspect 215. The flexible container of aspect 213, wherein the first line of reduced force comprises a marking line extending from about 50% to about 100% in the thickness of the second sheet and the second line of least force being It extends from about 1% to about 50% in the thickness of the second sheet.

Aspect 216. The flexible container of any of aspects 211 to 215, in which the third wall is adjacent to the side wall, the second sheet extends over a third boundary arranged between the third wall and the side wall, and the second Blade includes a third line of reduced force at or adjacent to the second boundary.

Aspect 217. The flexible container of aspect 216, where the second sheet is less than 10 thousandths of an inch thick, and the third line of reduced force comprises perforations with about 1% to about 60% cut openings and / or Marked lines that extend from about 1% to about 60% in the thickness of the second sheet.

Aspect 218. The flexible container of aspect 216, where the second sheet is more than 10 thousandths of an inch thick, and the third line of reduced force comprises perforations of about 50% to about 100% cut openings and / or lines markings ranging from about 50% to about 100% in the thickness of the second sheet.

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Aspect 219. The flexible container of (aspects 216 to 218, wherein the third line of least force is substantially linear and an edge of the container defined at the third boundary is substantially linear.

Aspect 220. The flexible container of any of aspects 216 to 218, where the third line of reduced force is curved, thus defining an edge of the container arranged at the third limit to have a curvature corresponding to the curve of the third line of less force.

Aspect 221. The flexible container of any of aspect 220, wherein a portion of the second sheet extending on the side wall of the third boundary comprises a contour line of reduced force which is a reflection of the third line of reduced force.

Aspect 222. The flexible container of aspect 221, wherein the reduced force contoured line comprises perforations with substantially the same percentage opening cut as the third reduced force line and / or the reduced force contoured line comprises substantially marking lines the same penetration percentage as the marking lines of the third line of less force.

Aspect 223. The flexible container of any one of Aspect 216 to 222, wherein the third line of reduced force has substantially the same percentage of cut opening as the first line of reduced force, and the penetration of a

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Aspect 224. The flexible container of any of aspects 221 to 223, wherein the first boundary extends between the first and second corners, and the second sheet includes openings at each of the first and second corners.

Aspect 225. The flexible container of any one of the preceding aspects, in which the second leaf further comprises a hinge defined by a reduced line of force, the hinge is arranged at one end of the resealable flap and the resealable flap is pivotable on the hinge of a closed position where the resealable flap is in contact with the opening panel to resealable the opening, and an open position where the resealable flap is rotated away from the opening panel.

Aspect 226. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second sheet further includes first and second projections arranged at one end of the resealable flap, the first and second projections being pivotable from a first position in which the first and second projections are in the same plane as at least one wall defining the opening panel and the resealable flap is in a closed position, and a second position where the first and second projections are oblique to at least

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE 1 ^ 181) 1116/10 a wall defining the opening panel and it is in an open position.

Aspect 227. The flexible container of aspect 226, in which the second sheet further comprises a hinge on which the resealable flap rotates from the closed position to the open position and the first and second projections are arranged on opposite sides of the hinge .

Aspect 228. The flexible container of aspect 226 or 227, in which the first and second projections are arranged equidistant from the hinge.

Aspect 229. The flexible container of any of aspects 226 to 228, wherein the first and second projections are semicircular in shape.

Aspect 230. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, in which the resealable flap comprises a tab for gripping the resealable flap.

Aspect 231. The flexible container of aspect 230, in which the flange is disposed adjacent a boundary between the adjacent walls and the flange is spaced about 0.03 inches to about 0.1 inches from a reduced line of force at or near the boundary. adjacent to the tab.

Aspect 232. The flexible container of aspect 230, wherein the flange extends to or beyond the reduced line of force at or near the border adjacent to the flange.

Aspect 233. The flexible container of any of the

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Aspect 234. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein at least one of the first and second seals extends considerably perpendicular to the side wall and consists of a gripping opening in a portion of the seal to define a handle.

Aspect 235. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second sheet has a thickness of from 2 thousandths of an inch to about 30 thousandths of an inch.

Aspect 236. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, where at least one of the plurality of walls defines a lower wall of the container on which the flexible container is located, and the lower wall comprises a corner seal.

Aspect 237. The flexible container of aspect 236, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls defining the opening panel is adjacent to the bottom wall, the opening comprises a flange at one end, and the flange is arranged together with the seal. from the corner.

Aspect 238. The flexible container of aspect 236, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls defining the opening panel faces the bottom wall.

Aspect 239. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein at least one of the plurality of

239 walls defines a bottom wall of the container

Ί The flexible container is not found and a third sheet is attached to the first sheet on the back wall.

Aspect 240. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the opening extends over at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of walls.

Aspect 241. A flexible container, comprising:

opposite top and bottom walls opposite side walls, each side wall formed by a seal and folded disposed adjacent to the top and bottom walls, the folds comprising part of the first sheet folded inward and arranged under the seal;

Opposite front and rear walls, where the and rear walls cooperate to define an interior volume of the container and are defined by a first sheet;

one an opening defined volume in the upper wall, the front wall and the rear wall, a second sheet attached to at least a portion of the first sheet, the second sheet, including:

an upper wall portion extending through at least a portion of the upper wall, folded portions extending into the folds of the opposite side wall arranged adjacent to the upper wall, in

240 where the portion of the upper wall and the pon are connected such that the second sheet extends through the first and the second arranged at an interface between the upper wall and the opposite side walls, respectively, a first and second portions of face through of at least a portion of front and back, '1 Οϊ the upper wall and the first and second face portions are connected such that the second sheet extends through the opposite third and fourth limits interface between the first and second face upper wall, respectively; and portions thereof extending through at least a portion of each of the side walls, outside of the seal, the wall portions adjoining portions of face such that the second sheet extends and eighth boundaries disposed at the respective interfaces between adjacent wall and face portions, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of reduced force arranged on the second sheet at or adjacent to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth boundaries, and a resealable fin defined in one or more of the portions

241

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Aspect 242. The flexible container of aspect 241, wherein the opening in the upper wall is defined.

Aspect 243. The flexible container of aspect 242, wherein the resealable flap comprises a flange, and the flange has a terminal edge extending to or beyond the first line of least force.

Aspect 244. The flexible container of aspect 242, wherein the resealable flap comprises a flange and a terminal edge of the flange is spaced at least 0.03 inches from the first line of least force.

Aspect 245. The flexible container of aspect 241, where the opening in the front panel is defined.

Aspect 246. The flexible container of aspect 245, in which the resealable flap comprises a flange, the bottom wall comprises a corner seal, and a terminal end of the flange extends to the corner seal.

Aspect 247. The flexible container of aspect 241, wherein the opening in the top wall and the front panel is defined.

Aspect 248. The flexible container of any of aspects 241 to 247, wherein the top wall comprises four corners, and the top wall portion comprises a corner relief opening at the corners such that the

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Aspect 249. The flexible container of any of aspects 241 to 248, wherein the first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of reduced force comprise

<td>perforations</td><td>taking around</td><td>from 1% to</td><td>about 50%</td><td>of</td>

<td colspan="2">cutting openings.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Appearance</td><td>250. The container</td><td>flexible</td><td>any of</td><td>the</td>

<td>aspects 241</td><td>at 249, where I</td><td>as third</td><td>and fourth lines</td><td>of</td>

Reduced strength includes perforations with about 60% to 99% cut openings.

Aspect 251. The flexible container of any of aspects 241 to 250, further comprising a third sheet attached to the bottom wall.

Aspect 252. The flexible container of any of aspects 241 to 251, wherein each seal is folded over and attached to the respective side wall.

Aspect 253. The flexible container of aspect 252, in which each seal is heat sealed to the first sheet portion defining the side wall.

Aspect 254. The flexible container of aspect 252, wherein the side wall portions comprise first and second side wall portions, the first and second side wall portions extending through the side wall to the seal provided on the wall respective side, each seal is folded over and sealed to the wall portion

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respective first or second lateral.

Aspect 255. A contoured flexible container, comprising:

opposite top and bottom walls opposite side walls, each side wall consisting of a seal and folds arranged adjacent to the top and bottom walls, the folds comprising part of the first sheet fold inward and arranged under the seal;

Opposite front and rear walls, where the top, bottom, opposite side, front and rear walls cooperate to define an interior volume of the container and are defined by a first sheet;

an opening to access the interior volume defined in one or more of the upper wall, the front wall and the rear wall, a second sheet attached to at least a portion of the first sheet, the second sheet, including:

an upper wall portion extending through at least a portion of the upper wall, fold portions extending into the folds of the opposite side wall arranged adjacent to the upper wall, wherein the upper wall portion and the fold portions are connected such that the second sheet extends across opposite first and second boundaries arranged at an interface between the top wall and the opposite side walls, respectively,

244 face portions extending through a front and rear wall portion, respectively, where the top wall portion and the face portions are connected such that the second sheet extends across the opposite third and fourth boundaries arranged at an interface between the top wall portion and the face portions, respectively; and the side wall portions extending through at least a portion of each of the side walls, outside of the seal, the side wall portions are connected to adjacent face portions such that the second sheet extends for a fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth boundaries provided at the respective interfaces between the adjacent side wall portions and face portions, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of reduced force arranged on the second sheet at or adjacent to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth limits, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of reduced force have a curved shape such that the edges of the package defined between the side walls and adjacent front and / or rear panel have a curved shape, and a resealable flap defined in one or more of the top wall portion and face portions and arranged to resealable the opening.

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255, in which the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth lines of reduced force curve away from the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth limits and into the parts of the face.

Appearance 257. The contoured flexible appearance container

255 or 256, where the side wall portion comprises a lower force contour line on the second sheet, the reduced force contoured line being a mirror image

Aspect 258. The contoured flexible container of any of aspects 255 to 257, wherein the opening in the top wall is defined.

Appearance 259. The contoured flexible appearance container

258, where the resealable flap comprises a flange, and the flange has a terminal edge extending to or beyond the first line of least force.

Aspect 260. The contoured flexible container of aspect 258, wherein the resealable flap comprises a flange and a terminal edge of the flange are spaced at least 0.03 inches from the first line of least force.

Aspect 261. The contoured flexible container of any of aspects 255 to 257 in which the opening in the front panel is defined.

Aspect 262. The contoured flexible aspect container

261, in which the resealable flap comprises a flange, the

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Aspect 263. The contoured flexible container of any of aspects 255 to 257, wherein the opening in the top wall and the front panel is defined.

Aspect 264. The flexible container of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a third sheet attached to the first sheet in at least the panel opening region.

Aspect 265. A method of forming a sealable package, comprising:

providing a network comprising a first sheet having a second sheet attached to a portion of the first sheet, the first sheet comprising an opening defined therein, and bending the network to define a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume of the container , the interior volume being accessible through the opening;

net sealing edges to define the first and second seals thereby defining the first and second side walls, where:

the plurality of the walls includes:

first and second opposite side walls with first and second seals, respectively, arranged along a

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE portion of the side wall and a portion of pleat fold, comprising a portion of the first sheet folded into the interior volume and arranged at least partially under the seal, at least one wall defining an opening panel comprising at least one portion of the opening, the second sheet extends at least partially over at least three of the plurality of walls, wherein each of at least three of the plurality of walls is adjacent to at least one of the other at least three plurality of walls, one of at least three of the plurality of walls is the wall of at least one defining the opening panel and a portion of the second sheet defines a resealable flap disposed over the opening to resealable the container, one of at least three of the plurality of walls is a side wall, the second sheet extends over the borders between the adjacent ones of at least three of the plurality of the walls and a portion of the second sheet extends in at least one fold and the second sheet includes a reduced line of force at or adjacent to a boundary between the portion of the second sheet that extends into at least one fold and a portion of the second sheet that extends through an adjacent one of the plurality of at least three of the walls.

Aspect 266. The method of aspect 265, wherein the net is folded over a forming tube, the forming tube comprises a

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO flig ........ 1111111/10 extension to the outside in at least one to crinkle the net near the extension to the outside.

Aspect 267. The method of aspect 265 or 266, the method further comprising folding over at least one of the first and second seals and attaching the seal to the respective side wall.

Aspect 268. The method of aspect 267, wherein the fold over at least one of the first and second seals comprises arranging the package on a support with a corresponding size and shape for the flexible container, actuating a first plate against a portion of the side wall , not including the seal and acting a second plate against a remaining portion of the side wall, including the seal, the second plate arranging the seal against the side wall to attach the seal to the side wall.

Aspect 269. A method of forming a contoured flexible container, the method comprising:

providing a net comprising a first sheet having a second sheet attached to a portion of the first sheet, folding the first sheet to define a plurality of walls cooperating to define an interior volume of the container, the plurality of the walls comprising upper walls and bottom opposite, opposite the front and rear walls and opposite the first and second side walls,

249 where:

the container is made up of a first edge between the first side wall and the front wall, a second edge between the first side wall and the rear wall, a third edge between the second front wall wall and a fourth edge between the second rear wall wall, At least one of the upper wall, front wall and lower wall have one of them, the second sheet extends at least front and rear walls and the first side walls and comprises the first, second, third and reduced at or adjacent to the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the container, respectively, the first, second, third, and fourth lines of least curved force, when bending the first sheet, curve of first, second, third, and fourth edges resulting of the first second, third and fourth lines of reduced force that is curved.

While various modalities have been described above, this description is not intended

Variations can be made to the described modalities that are still within the scope of the attached aspects.

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