Free-standing flexible package

Claim 2

A flexible package which lies flat when in the unfilled condition and which is freestanding when filled with liquid, said package comprising: a collapsible tubular container formed of a flexible plastic and having a closed bottom end, said container being substantially flat when collapsed and being substantially circular in cross section when filled; and a flexible base strip means surrounding the bottom portion of said container and secured thereto along longitudinally extending areas on diametrically opposite sides of said container, said areas extending substantially throughout the height dimension of said strip means, so that when said container is filled with liquid, said base strip means assumes a generally circular shape with the bottom edge thereof extending below said container to provide a base for supporting said container in an upright position.

Claim 3

A freestanding flexible package according to claim 1, wherein said strips are disposed in edgewise alignment with said bottom end of said container.

Claim 4

A freestanding flexible package according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a pair of flexible plastic sheets disposed in edgewise alignment and heat-sealed together along their side marginal edges and along one of their end marginal edges.

Claim 5

A freestanding flexible package according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of said base strip means is equal to at least twice the thickness of said sheets.

Claim 6

A freestanding flexible package comprising: a collapsible tubular container formed of flexible plastic material and being substantially circular in cross section when filled; flexible plastic base strip means surrounding said container near the bottom end thereof and secured to said container only along longitudinally extending areas on diametrically opposite sides of said container, said base strip means comprising a pair of flexible plastic strips heat-sealed only to said areas of said container along the side marginal edges of said strips, said strips being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said bottom end of said container to provide a heat-sealing area so that said area can be heat-sealed to complete the package; and whereby when the contents of said container is contained therein, said base strip means forms a substantially circular base for supporting in an upright position said container and its contents.

Claim 7

A freestanding flexible package comprising: a collapsible tubular container formed of flexible plastic material and being substantially circular in cross section when filled; flexible plastic base strip means surrounding said container near the bottom end thereof and secured to said container only along longitudinally extending areas on diametrically opposite sides of said container, said base strip means comprising a pair of flexible plastic strips heat-sealed only to said areas of said container along the side marginal edges of said strips, said strips being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship relative to said bottom end of said container to provide a heat-sealing area so that said area can be heat-sealed to complete the package; and whereby when the contents of said container is contained therein, said base strip means forms a substantially circular base for supporting in an upright position said container and its contents.

Claim 8

A freestanding flexible package according to claim 5, further including means defining a plurality of notches in said heat-sealing area of said container so that after sealing said area, said end marginal edges of said container pucker up under said base when it supports said container and its contents.