Flexible Containers with Easily Variable Sizing

Abstract

Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A line-up of flexible containers for retail sale of one or more fluent products, the line-up comprising:
 a first disposable self-supporting flexible container, configured for retail sale, having a first overall front profile and a first product space with a first total capacity; and   a second disposable self-supporting flexible container, configured for retail sale, having a second overall front profile that has substantially the same size and shape as the first overall front profile, and a second product space with a second total capacity that is a particular percentage less than the first total capacity;   wherein the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 70%.   
     
     
         2 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the particular percentage is greater than or equal to 10% and less than or equal to 60%. 
     
     
         3 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the second overall front profile has the same size and shape as the first overall front profile. 
     
     
         4 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel with a first squeeze panel profile; and   the second container includes a second squeeze panel with a second squeeze panel profile that is substantially the same as the first squeeze panel profile.   
     
     
         5 . The line-up of  claim 4 , wherein the second squeeze panel profile is the same as the first squeeze panel profile. 
     
     
         6 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel; and   the second squeeze panel is less extensible than the first squeeze panel.   
     
     
         7 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials having a first overall modulus of elasticity;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials having a second overall modulus of elasticity; and   the second overall modulus of elasticity is greater than the first overall modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         8 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the first flexible materials are mechanically treated to increase extensibility.   
     
     
         9 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the first flexible materials are incrementally stretched.   
     
     
         10 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the first flexible materials are thermally treated to increase extensibility.   
     
     
         11 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the second flexible materials are chemically treated to increase rigidity.   
     
     
         12 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the second flexible materials are coated to increase rigidity.   
     
     
         13 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the second flexible materials are configured with one or more overlapping folds.   
     
     
         14 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel made from one or more first flexible materials;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel made from one or more second flexible materials; and   the second flexible materials are under more tension than the first flexible materials.   
     
     
         15 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first squeeze panel that has a first side profile central depth measurement;   the second container includes a second squeeze panel that has a second side profile central depth measurement that is less than the first side profile central depth measurement.   
     
     
         16 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the second container includes a second squeeze panel that has a second overall squeeze panel area and the second squeeze panel is joined to a second opposing side of the second container at one or more second joining locations within the second overall squeeze panel area. 
     
     
         17 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the second container includes a second squeeze panel that has a second overall squeeze panel area and the second squeeze panel is joined to a second opposing side of the second container by one or more second internal tie members within the second overall squeeze panel area. 
     
     
         18 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the second container includes a second squeeze panel that has a second overall squeeze panel area and the second squeeze panel includes one or more second expanded surface stiffening members within the second overall squeeze panel area. 
     
     
         19 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first container includes a first structural support frame that includes one or more first expanded structural support volumes, which are expanded with a first expansion material at a first internal expansion pressure; and   the second container includes a second structural support frame that includes one or more second expanded structural support volumes, which are expanded with a second expansion material at a second internal expansion pressure that is greater than the first internal expansion pressure.   
     
     
         20 . The line-up of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible materials are the same as the second flexible materials.