Flexible container

Abstract

A flexible container formed by sealing at least two webs of material with respect to each other to form a void between the webs. A seal seals a first web with respect to a second web to form the void. At least one portion of the seal is non-linear, preferably having an arcuate shape and bowed outward from the void. The first web defines a closure area which forms an opening to provide access to the void. A layer of adhesive is applied to the first web at the closure area to provide for a leak-proof seal at the closure area when the flexible container is folded with respect to the void opening.

1 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a first web;    a second web positioned with respect to said first web;    a seal sealing said first web with respect to said second web and forming a void between said webs, at least one portion of said seal being non-linear;    a closure area defined by said first web, said closure area forming an opening providing access to said void; and    a layer of adhesive applied to said first web at said closure area.    
   
   
       2 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said first web comprises at least two layers.  
   
   
       3 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said second web comprises at least two layers.  
   
   
       4 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said seal is continuous.  
   
   
       5 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one portion of said seal has an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       6 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one portion comprises opposing side edge portions, and in a direction from a top to a bottom of each of said opposing side edge portions at least a portion of said side edge portion is bowed outward from said void.  
   
   
       7 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of said seal is bowed outward from said void.  
   
   
       8 . The flexible container according to  claim 7 , wherein said bottom portion follows an arc segment and a height of said arc segment is at least about 0.125 inch.  
   
   
       9 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing side edge portions of said seal converge in a direction toward a bottom portion of said seal.  
   
   
       10 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing side edge portions of said seal each is arcuate.  
   
   
       11 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing side edge portions of said seal each is bowed outward from said void and follows an arc segment and a height of said arc segment is at least about 0.125 inch.  
   
   
       12 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of opposing side edge portions of said seal is arcuate.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein near said closure area, opposing side edge portions of said seal diverge from each other in a direction from a bottom to a top of said side edge portions.  
   
   
       14 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said first web has at least two layers and a first layer of said at least two layers is coextensive with a second layer of said at least two layers.  
   
   
       15 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said first web has at least two layers and said at least two layers comprise a first layer of a polyester or nylon material and a second layer of a polyethylene material.  
   
   
       16 . The flexible container according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening comprises a slit positioned along a fold line passing through said closure area.  
   
   
       17 . The flexible container according to  claim 16 , wherein near at least one of opposing end portions of said slit at least one of said webs has a structural relief.  
   
   
       18 . The flexible container according to  claim 17 , wherein said structural relief comprises at least one layer of at least one of said webs having a reduced thickness at said fold line.  
   
   
       19 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a first web and a second web sealed with respect to each other and forming a void between said webs, said first web having an opening at a closure area, and a seal sealing said webs, said seal having a bottom portion and opposing side edge portions each being non-linear.    
   
   
       20 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein each of said first web and said second web comprises at least two layers.  
   
   
       21 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein said seal comprises a continuous seal.  
   
   
       22 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein each of said bottom portion and said opposing side edge portions has an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       23 . The flexible container according to  claim 22 , wherein said bottom portion has a radius of about 8 inches.  
   
   
       24 . The flexible container according to  claim 22 , wherein each of said opposing side edge portions has a radius of about 70 inches.  
   
   
       25 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein each of said bottom portion and opposing side edge portions is bowed outward from said void.  
   
   
       26 . The flexible container according to  claim 25 , wherein said bottom portion follows an arc segment and a height of said arc segment is at least about 0.125 inch.  
   
   
       27 . The flexible container according to  claim 25 , wherein each of opposing side edge portions follows an arc segment and a height of said arc segment is at least about 0.125 inch.  
   
   
       28 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein a top portion of said seal is non-linear.  
   
   
       29 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein a top portion of said seal is arcuate.  
   
   
       30 . The flexible container according to  claim 19 , wherein said side edge portions converge in a direction toward said bottom portion.  
   
   
       31 . A flexible container comprising: 
 a first web;    a second web sealed with respect to said first web and forming a void between said webs;    a closure area defined by said first web, said closure area forming an opening providing access to said void;    a seal sealing said first web with respect to said second web to form said void, a bottom portion of said seal being non-linear, and near said closure area, opposing side edge portions of said seal diverge from each other in a direction from a bottom to a top of said side edge portions; and    a layer of adhesive applied to said first web at said closure area.    
   
   
       32 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein said seal is continuous.  
   
   
       33 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein said bottom portion has an arcuate shape.  
   
   
       34 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein said opposing side edge portions converge in a direction toward said bottom portion.  
   
   
       35 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein a top portion of said seal is non-linear.  
   
   
       36 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein a top portion of said seal is arcuate.  
   
   
       37 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein said seal comprises a heat seal.  
   
   
       38 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein said seal is formed about a periphery of the flexible container.  
   
   
       39 . The flexible container according to  claim 31 , further comprising a second seal positioned with respect to said void.  
   
   
       40 . The flexible container according to  claim 39 , wherein said second seal is segmented.