Overwrap container, method of and apparatus for producing same

1. An overwrap container comprising:

a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends about a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom connected to the side wall, the first side seam being formed with overlapping opposite base container side edges which are heat sealed together;

a pre-glued overwrap positioned over the side wall of the base container, the overwrap having a second side seam aligned longitudinally with the first side seam, the second side seam being formed with overlapping opposite overwrap side edges which are joined together by an adhesive extending along substantially an entire length of one of the overwrap side edges; and

connecting elements positioned between the side wall of the base container and the overwrap, and joining the side wall of the base container and the overwrap together except in an area along the aligned first and second side seams to define a uniform spacing extending continuously between the side wall and the overwrap forming an air gap therebetween.

2. The overwrap container of claim 1 , wherein the connecting elements are formed of adhesive elements.

3. The overwrap container of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive elements are formed from heated glue.

4. The overwrap container of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive elements are formed as elongated spaced apart beads protruding outwardly from an outer periphery of the side wall.

5. The overwrap container of claim 4 , wherein the beads extend generally parallel to each other.

6. The overwrap container of claim 1 , wherein the overwrap extends completely around the side wall of the base container.

7. The overwrap container of claim 1 , wherein the overwrap extends between a top edge of the base container and a bottom edge of the base container.

8. The overwrap container of claim 1 , wherein the connecting elements are absent along entire lengths of the aligned first and second side seams.

9. A method for producing an overwrap container comprising the steps of:

a) providing a base container having a first side seam on a side wall that extends about a longitudinal axis to define an internal volume, and a bottom secured to the side wall, the first side seam being formed with overlapping opposite base container side edges which are heat sealed together;

b) providing the side wall of the base container with connecting elements around an outer periphery of the side wall except for an area along the first side seam; and

c) providing a pre-glued overwrap having a second side seam over the side wall of the base container such that the first side seam of the base container and the second side seam are aligned together, and such that the overwrap is joined by the connecting elements to the outer periphery of the side wall of the base container except in an area along the aligned first and second side seams to define an overwrap container having a uniform spacing extending continuously between the side wall of the base container and the overwrap, the second side seam being formed with overlapping opposite overwrap side edges which are joined together by an adhesive extending along substantially an entire length of one of the overwrap side edges.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step b) includes applying a plurality of elongated adhesive beads protruding outwardly from the outer periphery of the side wall of the base container.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive beads are applied with heated glue.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the side wall of the base container and the overwrap are joined together once the heated glue has cooled.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive beads are formed generally parallel to each other.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein step c) includes pressing the overlapped side edges together to form the second side seam.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the connecting elements applied in step c) are absent along the complete length of the first side seam.