Self standing flexible container

Abstract

A flexible container comprises a front panel, a back panel and a first and second opposing side panel. Each side panel including a gusset to, in turn, divide each side panel into a first region and a second region. The front panel is attached to the first region of the first side panel by a first side seam, a first side panel seam region of a top seam and a first side panel seam region of a bottom seam and to the first region of the second side panel proximate a second side seam, a second side panel seam region of the top seam and a second side panel seam region of the bottom seam. The back panel is attached to the second region of the first side panel proximate a third side seam, a third side panel seam region of the top seam and a third side panel seam region of the bottom seam and to the second region of the second side panel proximate the fourth side seam, a fourth side panel seam region of the top seam and a fourth side panel seam region the bottom seam. The back panel is attached to the front panel about a central panel region of the top seam and about a central panel region of the bottom seam. A pair of opposing corner seams are associated with each side seam. Each of the opposing corner seams extending from a side seam to a top seam, each corner region comprising an outwardly concave configuration.

1 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a front panel, a back panel and a first and second opposing side panel, each side panel including a gusset to, in turn, divide each side panel into a first region and a second region;    the front panel attached to the first region of the first side panel by a first side seam, a first side panel seam region of a top seam and a first side panel seam region of a bottom seam and to the first region of the second side panel proximate a second side seam, a second side panel seam region of the top seam and a second side panel seam region of the bottom seam;    the back panel attached to the second region of the first side panel proximate a third side seam, a third side panel seam region of the top seam and a third side panel seam region of the bottom seam and to the second region of the second side panel proximate the fourth side seam, a fourth side panel seam region of the top seam and a fourth side panel seam region the bottom seam;    the back panel attached to the front panel about a central panel region of the top seam and about a central panel region of the bottom seam; and    a pair of opposing corner seams associated with each side seam, each of the opposing corner seams extending from a respective side seam away from each other toward one of a respective top seam and bottom seam, wherein each corner seam comprises an outwardly concave configuration.    
   
   
       2 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the opposing corner seams intersect one of a respective top seam and a respective bottom seam at least partially within a respective side panel seam region thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The flexible container of  claim 2  wherein each of the opposing corner seams intersect one of a respective top seam and a respective bottom seam at least partially within a respective side panel seam region thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein each respective side panel seam of the top seam is joined to the central panel region of the top seam at an interface, and wherein each respective side panel seam of the bottom seam is joined to the central panel region of the bottom seam at an interface.  
   
   
       5 . The flexible container of  claim 4  wherein each of the opposing corner seams intersect one of the top seam and the bottom seam at the respective interface.  
   
   
       6 . The flexible container of  claim 4  wherein each respective side panel seam of the bottom seam is joined to the central panel region of the bottom seam.  
   
   
       7 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the opposing corner seams comprises: 
 a first region extending from a respective side panel seam; and    a second region extending from one of the respective top seam and the respective bottom seam;    wherein a longitudinal axis extending along the first region and a longitudinal axis extending along the second region intersect obliquely.    
   
   
       8 . The flexible container of  claim 7  wherein an angle defined by the intersecting longitudinal axis of the first and second regions comprise an angle greater than about 150° and less than about 180 °.  
   
   
       9 . The flexible container of  claim 7  wherein the first and second regions are joined together.  
   
   
       10 . The flexible container of  claim 7  wherein the first region is substantially longer than the second region.  
   
   
       11 . The flexible container of  claim 7  wherein each of the opposing corner seams include a first region and a second region.  
   
   
       12 . The flexible container of  claim 11  wherein each of the opposing corner seams includes a substantially identically configured first region and second region.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible container of  claim 1  further comprising a fitment facilitating the passage of fluid into and out of the cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The flexible container of  claim 13  wherein the fitment is positioned between the two corner regions associated with the top seam of the front panel.  
   
   
       15 . The flexible container of  claim 13  wherein the fitment is mounted so as to extend through a top seam thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The flexible container of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a plurality of panels which comprise a single integrated sheet of material.  
   
   
       17 . The flexible container of  claim 16  wherein the single sheet of material includes a plurality of fully laminated plies of material.  
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a flexible container, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of panels, including, a front panel, a back panel and a first and second opposing side panel, each side panel including a gusset to, in turn, divide each side panel into a first region and a second region;    attaching a front panel to the first region of the first side panel by a first side seam, a first side panel seam region of a top seam and a first side panel seam region of a bottom seam and to the first region of the second side panel proximate a second side seam, a second side panel seam region of the top seam and a second side panel seam region of the bottom seam;    attaching the back panel the second region of the first side panel proximate a third side seam, a third side panel seam region of the top seam and a third side panel seam region of the bottom seam and to the second region of the second side panel proximate the fourth side seam, a fourth side panel seam region of the top seam and a fourth side panel seam region the bottom seam;    attaching the back panel to the front panel about a central panel region of the top seam and about a central panel region of the bottom seam; and    providing a pair of opposing corner seams to each side seam, each of the opposing corner seams extending from a respective side seam away from each other toward one of a respective top seam and bottom seam, wherein each corner seam comprises an outwardly concave configuration.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each of the opposing corner seams intersect one of a respective top seam and a respective bottom seam at least partially within a respective side panel seam region thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each respective side panel seam of the top seam is joined to the central panel region of the top seam at an interface, and wherein each respective side panel seam of the bottom seam is joined to the central panel region of the bottom seam at an interface