Packaging for Flowable Solids

Abstract

A package for large volumes of flowable solids may comprise 2 or more distinct packages of smaller volume. The 2 or more distinct packages may be bound together to minimize changes in center of gravity during handling. The packages may be bound together by an overwrap. The overwrap may have discontinuities. A method of packaging large volumes of flowable solids by temporarily reducing effective headspace to minimize changes in center of gravity during handling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package comprising: a first pliable bag containing a first flowable solid and a headspace; and a second pliable bag containing a second flowable solid and a headspace; wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are bound together to reduce an effective headspace in the package while the bags are bound. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are stacked such that one side of the first pliable bag faces a corresponding side of the second pliable bag, and the opposing sides of the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are substantially covered by an overwrap. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap comprises shrink wrap. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap comprises stretch film. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap reduces an effective headspace in the first pliable bag by at least 75%. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap reduces the effective headspace in the first pliable bag and an effective headspace in the second pliable bag, each by at least 75%. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap is continuous. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap is transparent. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap is opaque. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the overwrap comprises an easy-open feature. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are folded to reduce the effective headspace in the bags before they are bound. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are folded over at a top or a bottom. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag are folded at gussets, creases, darts, or other constructed fold lines to reduce an effective headspace of the bag. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first pliable bag and the second pliable bag each contain between 8 and 50 pounds of a flowable solid. 
     
     
         15 . A package comprising: a pliable bag containing at least 10 pounds of a flowable solid; a headspace comprising at least 20% of a volume of the pliable bag; wherein the pliable bag is folded to reduce the effective headspace of the bag and the fold is frangibly secured. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the pliable bag has a fold, and the fold is secured by a securement selected from the group consisting of tape, adhesive, overwrap, mesh, mechanical-fit, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making a heavy package of flowable solids easier to handle, comprising: providing a pliable bag containing between 40 and 120 pounds of a flowable solid; reducing an effective headspace of the pliable bag by folding or compressing the pliable bag; and frangibly securing the pliable bag in the folded or compressed condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the effective headspace of the pliable bag, after reduction, is less than 5% of a volume of the pliable bag. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pliable bag is frangibly secured in the folded or compressed condition by a securement selected from the group consisting of tape, adhesive, overwrap, mesh, mechanical-fit, or combinations thereof.