Packages for consumable products and methods for using same

Abstract

Packages for housing products and methods of using same are provided. The packages may be used to store consumable products and may be customized, contemporary packages that provide easy handling of the packages and increased purchase interest and marketability amongst consumers. In a general embodiment, the packages of the present disclosure include a body defining an interior for housing a consumable product. The body includes a bottom surface having a centrally-located, vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, a front surface that is substantially convex with respect to the vertical axis, and a back surface that is opposed to the front surface and is substantially concave with respect to the vertical axis.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A flexible package comprising:
 a body defining an interior configured to house a consumable product, the body comprising   a bottom surface comprising a centrally-located, vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface,   a front surface that is substantially convex with respect to the vertical axis,   a back surface that is opposed to the front surface and is substantially concave with respect to the vertical axis, and   a top surface having an outlet;   wherein the package is so constructed and arranged to provide improved stackability.   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lid that is so constructed and arranged to close the outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is angled away from the vertical axis. 
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 3 , wherein the top surface is angled at an angle ranging from about 5° to about 45°. 
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible package is sized and shaped for a child's grasp. 
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises an indicia, said indicia is placed on the body by a method selected from the group consisting of embossing, debossing, printing, engraving, a sticker, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package is so constructed and arranged to provide efficient nesting with at least one similarly constructed package. 
     
     
         8 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package is so constructed and arranged to provide efficient storage of the package. 
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package is so constructed and arranged to provide improved aesthetics during display of the package. 
     
     
         10 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior comprises a channel that is fluidly connected to the outlet, the channel is so constructed and arranged to aid in emptying a product from the body. 
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one consumable product. 
     
     
         12 . A method for providing a consumable product to a child, the method comprising:
 providing a flexible package comprising a body defining an interior housing a consumable product, the body comprising   a bottom surface comprising a centrally-located, vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface,   a front surface that is substantially convex with respect to the vertical axis, and   a back surface that is substantially concave with respect to the vertical axis; and   instructing the child to consume the product housed in the package.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the package is selected from the group consisting of those claimed in  claim 1  to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         14 . A method for storing consumable products, the method comprising:
 providing at least two flexible packages, each flexible packaging comprising a body defining an interior housing a consumable product, the body comprising a bottom surface comprising a centrally-located, vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface,   a front surface that is substantially convex with respect to the vertical axis, and   a back surface that is substantially concave with respect to the vertical axis; and   placing the at least two flexible packages in a storage container.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the package is selected from the group consisting of those claimed in  claim 1  to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising placing the at least two flexible packages in a container that is so constructed and arranged for shipment of the at least two flexible packages. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising placing the at least two flexible packages adjacent to one another such that the at least two flexible packages nest with one another. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein an at least second container is substantially identical to a first container with respect to its shape and size, and is located adjacent to the first container, wherein a sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the first and at least a portion of the second containers. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein an at least second container is substantially identical to a first container with respect to its shape and size, and is located adjacent to the first container, wherein a sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the first and at least a portion of all adjacent containers. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the sleeve is made of a material selected from the group consisting of shrink-wrap, plastic, cardboard, card stock, paper, and combinations thereof.