Containers having a product volume and a stand-off structure coupled thereto

Abstract

Various containers are provided that have a product volume and one or more standoff structures coupled to the product volume. The standoff structures are configured to protect the product volume. The standoff structures may, for example, prevent damage (e.g., denting, rupture, scuffing, etc.) to the product volume, such as to indicia or information disposed on the product volume, that occurs when, for example, the container is dropped, falls, is placed into contact with another object, or is placed into a confined structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible container, comprising:
 a self-supporting product volume defined by at least one side;   a standoff structure coupled to and co-facial with the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume, wherein the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume to which the standoff structure is coupled is at least partially free of the standoff structure; and   a bottom arranged to contact a horizontal support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising an external frame coupled to the self-supporting product volume at one or more locations, the external frame comprising the standoff structure. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure is coupled to and co-facial with a top of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure is coupled to and co-facial with a bottom of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side of the product volume includes a decoration area for indicia. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the standoff structure at least partially surrounds the decoration area. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume to which the standoff structure is located is at least 50% free of the standoff structure. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume to which the standoff structure is located at least 70% free of the standoff structure. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser configured to dispense product and a fluid dispensing path in fluid communication with the dispenser and an interior of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure extends prominently outward from of an exterior of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure is integrally attached to at least a portion of the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the standoff structure comprises a fluid-expandable standoff structure. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a gap exists between at least a portion of the standoff structure and a portion of the at least one side of the self-supporting product volume to which the standoff structure is coupled, such that the standoff structure provides a gripping surface for the container. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a plurality of standoff structures coupled to and co-facial with one side of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the self-supporting product volume is defined by at least first and second contiguous sides, and wherein the container comprises a plurality of standoff structures, a first of the standoff structures being coupled to and co-facial with the first side of the self-supporting product volume and a second of the standoff structures being coupled to and co-facial with the second side of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the self-supporting product volume is at least partially defined by first and second opposing sides, and wherein the container comprises a plurality of standoff structures, a first of the standoff structures being coupled to and co-facial with the first side of the self-supporting product volume and a second of the standoff structures being coupled to and co-facial with the second side of the self-supporting product volume. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of holes disposed through the standoff structure. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of recesses disposed in the standoff structure.