Reinforced Pouch

Abstract

A package includes a bag in a sleeve. The sleeve includes biconcave panels that are opposite from one another and each have opposite concave edges, and biconvex panels that are opposite from one another and each have opposite convex edges. The concave and convex edges are respectively foldably connected to one another by arcuate fold lines. When the sleeve is erected, each of the biconvex panels may be in a concave configuration with respect to the interior of the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package, comprising:
 a carton comprising
 a first panel having a concave edge, 
 a second panel having a concave edge, 
 a third panel positioned between the first and second panels, and the third panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge, 
 a first arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the third panel, 
 a second arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the third panel, and 
 the third panel, as a whole, being in a substantially concave configuration with respect to an interior of the carton, and the third panel being retained in the substantially concave configuration at least partially in response to interplay between forces in at least the first, second and third panels. 
   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the third panel further comprises an intermediate fold line positioned between the first and second convex edges, and the intermediate fold line is configured for allowing the third panel to be folded for moving the first and second convex edges both toward and away from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bag positioned in the interior of the carton, wherein:
 the carton is a sleeve extending around the interior of the sleeve;   the sleeve has opposite first and second ends;   the bag is positioned in the interior of the sleeve;   the bag has opposite first and second ends; and   the first end of the bag extends outwardly through an opening of the first end of the sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 3 , wherein the first end of the bag is wider than the first end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the bag extends outwardly through an opening of the second end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first and second convex edges has opposite top and bottom ends;   the third panel further comprises an top edge; and   the top edge is positioned between the top end of the first convex edge and the top end of the second convex edge, so that the top end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the top end of the second convex edge.   
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the third panel further comprises a bottom edge positioned opposite from the top edge; and   the bottom edge is positioned between the bottom end of the first convex edge and the bottom end of the second convex edge, so that the bottom end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the bottom end of the second convex edge.   
     
     
         8 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fourth panel positioned between the first and second panels, the fourth panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   a third arcuate fold line connecting the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   a fourth arcuate fold line connecting the second panel to the second convex edge of the fourth panel; and   the fourth panel, as a whole, being in a substantially concave configuration with respect to the interior of the carton, and the fourth panel being retained in the substantially concave configuration at least partially in response to interplay between forces in at least the first, second and fourth panels.   
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the concave edge of the first panel is a first concave edge of the first panel;   the first panel further comprises a second concave edge opposite from the first concave edge of the first panel;   the third arcuate fold line connects the second concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   the concave edge of the second panel is a first concave edge of the second panel;   the second panel further comprises a second concave edge opposite from the first concave edge of the second panel; and   the fourth arcuate fold line connects the second concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the fourth panel.   
     
     
         10 . A package, comprising:
 a carton comprising
 a first panel having a concave edge, 
 a second panel having a concave edge, 
 a third panel positioned between the first and second panels, the third panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge, and the third panel comprising opposite top and bottom edges, wherein
 each of the first and second convex edges has opposite upper and lower ends, 
 the upper edge is positioned between the upper end of the first convex edge and the upper end of the second convex edge, so that the upper end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the upper end of the second convex edge, and 
 the lower edge is positioned between the lower end of the first convex edge and the lower end of the second convex edge, so that the lower end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the lower end of the second convex edge; 
 
 a first arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the third panel; 
 a second arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the third panel; and 
 the third panel, as a whole, being in a substantially concave configuration with respect to an interior of the carton. 
   
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 10 , further comprising a bag positioned in the interior of the carton, wherein:
 the carton is a sleeve extending around the interior of the sleeve;   the sleeve has opposite first and second ends;   the bag is positioned in the interior of the sleeve;   the bag has opposite first and second ends; and   the first end of the bag extends outwardly through the first end of the sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The carton according to  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the bag extends outwardly through the second end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The package according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a fourth panel positioned between the first and second panels, the fourth panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   a third arcuate fold line connecting the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   a fourth arcuate fold line connecting the second panel to the second convex edge of the fourth panel; and   the fourth panel, as a whole, being in a substantially concave configuration with respect to the interior of the carton.   
     
     
         14 . The package according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the concave edge of the first panel is a first concave edge of the first panel;   the first panel further comprises a second concave edge opposite from the first concave edge of the first panel;   the third arcuate fold line connects the second concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel;   the concave edge of the second panel is a first concave edge of the second panel;   the second panel further comprises a second concave edge opposite from the first concave edge of the second panel; and   the fourth arcuate fold line connects the second concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the fourth panel.   
     
     
         15 . A blank, comprising:
 a first panel having a concave edge,   a second panel having a concave edge,   a third panel positioned between the first and second panels, and the third panel comprising a first convex edge, a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge, and an intermediate fold line positioned between the first and second convex edges, the intermediate fold line being configured for allowing the third panel to be folded for moving the first and second convex edges both toward and away from one another;   a first arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the third panel; and   a second arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the third panel.   
     
     
         16 . The blank according to  claim 15 , wherein the intermediate fold line is positioned substantially midway between the first and second convex edges. 
     
     
         17 . The blank according to  claim 15 , further comprising a liner mounted to at least one panel selected from the group consisting of the first panel, the second panel and the third panel. 
     
     
         18 . The blank according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 each of the first and second convex edges has opposite upper and lower ends;   the third panel further comprises an upper edge; and   the upper edge is positioned between the upper end of the first convex edge and the upper end of the second convex edge, so that the upper end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the upper end of the second convex edge.   
     
     
         19 . The blank according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 the third panel further comprises a lower edge positioned opposite from the upper edge; and   the lower edge is positioned between the lower end of the first convex edge and the lower end of the second convex edge, so that the lower end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the lower end of the second convex edge.   
     
     
         20 . The blank according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a fourth panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge of the fourth panel; and   a third arcuate fold line connecting the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel.   
     
     
         21 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 the concave edge of the first panel is a first concave edge of the first panel;   the first panel further comprises a second concave edge opposite from the first concave edge of the first panel; and   the third arcuate fold line connects the second concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the fourth panel.   
     
     
         22 . A blank, comprising:
 a first panel having a concave edge;   a second panel having a concave edge;   a third panel positioned between the first and second panels, the third panel comprising a first convex edge and a second convex edge opposite the first convex edge, and the third panel further comprising opposite top and bottom edges, wherein
 each of the first and second convex edges has opposite upper and lower ends, 
 the upper edge is positioned between the upper end of the first convex edge and the upper end of the second convex edge, so that the upper end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the upper end of the second convex edge, and 
 the lower edge is positioned between the lower end of the first convex edge and the lower end of the second convex edge, so that the lower end of the first convex edge is spaced apart from the lower end of the second convex edge; 
   a first arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the first panel to the first convex edge of the third panel, and   a second arcuate fold line connecting the concave edge of the second panel to the second convex edge of the third panel and   
     
     
         23 . The blank according to  claim 22 , further comprising a liner mounted to at least one panel selected from the group consisting of the first panel, the second panel and the third panel. 
     
     
         24 . The blank according to  claim 22 , wherein the third panel further comprises an intermediate fold line positioned between the first and second convex edges, and the intermediate fold line is configured for allowing the third panel to be folded for moving the first and second convex edges both toward and away from one another.