Flexible Containers with Easily Variable Sizing
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.
1 . A method of making a line-up of flexible containers for one or more fluent products, the method comprising:
first, forming a first disposable self-supporting flexible container having a first support frame with a first predetermined volume of a first expansion material sealed inside the first container and the first container having a first product space with a first predetermined total capacity, wherein the first forming includes:
folding one or more first flexible materials to make a first particular folded configuration, and
using the first particular folded configuration in the forming of the first container; and
second, forming a second disposable self-supporting flexible container having a second support frame with a second predetermined volume of a second expansion material sealed inside the second container, wherein the second predetermined volume is greater than the first predetermined volume, and the second container having a second product space with a second predetermined total capacity, which is less than the first predetermined total capacity, wherein the second forming includes:
folding one or more second flexible materials to make a second particular folded configuration, which is substantially the same as the first particular folded configuration; and
using the second particular folded configuration in the forming of the second container.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined volume is 10-1000% more than the first predetermined volume.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined volume is 20-500% more than the first predetermined volume.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first predetermined volume of the first expansion material is folded inside the first container at a first internal expansion pressure;
the second predetermined volume of the second expansion material is folded inside the second container at a second internal expansion pressure, which is within 85% of the first internal expansion pressure.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the second expansion pressure is within 50% of the first expansion pressure.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the second expansion pressure is within 20% of the first expansion pressure.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first expansion material and the second expansion material are at least essentially the same.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first expansion material and the second expansion material are the same.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined total capacity is 5-70% less than the first predetermined total capacity.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined total capacity is 10-60% less than the first predetermined total capacity.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined total capacity is 15-50% less than the first predetermined total capacity.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first predetermined volume of the first expansion material is sealed inside a first structural support frame of the first container; and
the second predetermined volume of the second expansion material is sealed inside a second structural support frame of the second container.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second particular folded configuration is the same as the first particular folded configuration.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flexible materials are the same as the first flexible materials.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flexible container is a stand-up container; and
the second flexible container is a stand-up container.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the forming of the first container is performed on a particular machine; and
the forming of the second container is performed on the particular machine.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein:
the particular machine has a particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the forming of the first container is performed on the particular machine, using at least some of the particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the forming of the second container is performed on the particular machine, using at least some of the particular set of unit operations for folding.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the particular machine has a particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the forming of the first container is performed on the particular machine, using each of the particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the forming of the second container is performed on the particular machine, using each of the particular set of unit operations for folding.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the particular machine has a particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the method includes switching the particular machine from forming the first container to forming the second container, without changing parts in any of the unit operations for folding.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein:
the particular machine has a particular set of unit operations for folding; and
the method includes switching the particular machine from forming the first container to forming the second container, without mechanically adjusting any of the unit operations for folding.