Stand-up flexible pouch and method of forming

Abstract

A stand-up flexible pouch for packaging a product and a method of forming and filling the pouch is provided. The pouch includes a panel forming a body of the pouch using a flexible material having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rib is integrally formed in the pouch body, and the rib is spaced a predetermined distance from an edge of the pouch body. The ribs provide structural rigidity to the pouch when filled, allowing the pouch to retain the filled shape and stand upright unassisted as the product is removed from the pouch.

1 . A stand-up flexible pouch for packaging a product, said pouch comprising:
 a cylindrical pouch body formed of a flexible material having an inner surface and an outer surface; and   a plurality of elongated ribs integrally formed in said cylindrical body, wherein said plurality of ribs extending in a coaxial direction with said cylindrical body to provide rigidity to said pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said pouch includes an opening device for accessing the product contained within the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a height of said plurality of ribs is less than a thickness of said flexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of ribs are uniformly spaced. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of ribs are thermoformed in said cylindrical pouch body such that said outer surface of said flexible material is convex in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical pouch body includes a top edge and an opposite bottom edge, and a top member is sealed to said inner surface of said cylindrical pouch body adjacent said top edge, and wherein a bottom member is sealed to said inner surface of said cylindrical pouch body adjacent said top edge. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said bottom member is a gusset. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said pouch includes an opening device for accessing the product contained within the pouch, said opening device includes a fitment and a cap removably attached to said fitment. 
     
     
         9 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said opening device is formed on said top member. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of elongated ribs include a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein said first ends of said plurality of ribs are interconnected to adjacent ribs by rib connectors. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said first ends of said plurality of ribs are adjacent to one of a top edge or a bottom edge of said cylindrical pouch body, and wherein said rib connectors extend outwardly towards one of said top edge or said bottom edge of said cylindrical pouch body. 
     
     
         12 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said rib connectors have a generally arcuate shape. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said rib connectors have a semicircular shape having a diameter equal to a distance between adjacent ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said rib connectors are integrally formed with said plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said rib connectors and said plurality of ribs are formed in said flexible material of said cylindrical pouch body by thermoforming.