Containers for holding materials

Abstract

The invention provides for a container that may include a liquid-holding vessel and a skeleton shell supporting the liquid holding vessel. The liquid-holding vessel may comprise a flexible polymer or plastic material for preventing contact between a liquid stored in or dispensed from the container and the skeleton. The liquid-holding vessel and the closure may be formed from a minimal amount of polymer or plastic. The invention also provides for a connection of a liquid-holding vessel with a fitment to the skeleton shell using ultrasonic means. Further, a skeleton shell with mating features allowing the skeleton shell to be formed with smooth edges is provided.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a materials holding container having a fitment; and   a shell comprising one or more scalloped features on both sides of a parting line flange, wherein the shell includes a neck configured to support the fitment.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the shell is formed from a plurality of shell portions, wherein the parting line flange is formed from a flange from a first shell portion meeting a flange of a second shell portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the flange of the first shell portion is adhered to the flange of the second shell portion. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the parting line flange extends beyond the scalloped feature. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a label adhered to an outer surface of the shell. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the parting line flange does extend beyond a panel of the label. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the fitment includes one or more interlock configured to mate with complementary features at the neck of the shell, thereby preventing movement of the fitment relative to the shell in at least one direction. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the first shell portion has an overlapping feature that overlies at least a portion of the second shell portion. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the scalloped features are indented relative to an unscalloped portion of the shell. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the shell is formed from molded fiber or pulp. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the material holding container is formed from at least a polymer. 
     
     
         16 . A container, comprising:
 a materials holding bag having a fitment; and   a shell with mating features, wherein the fitment is secured to the shell and the shell is formed with a smooth outer surface on at least one edge of the shell by said mating features.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  wherein at least one overlapping feature is provided at the at least one edge of the skeleton shell. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16  wherein the shell is formed from a plurality of shell portions, wherein a first shell portion has an overlapping feature overlapping at least a portion of a second shell portion. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the second shell portion has an overlapping feature overlapping at least a portion of the first shell portion. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the overlapping feature of the first shell portion extends beyond a plane defined by the at least one edge and the overlapping feature of the second shell extends beyond a plane defined by the at least one edge. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A container, comprising:
 a materials holding bag having a fitment with one or more heat stakes, and   a shell, wherein the fitment is secured to the shell by the one or more heat stakes configured to embed into the shell by the application of ultrasonic energy.   
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 25  wherein the heat stakes are located between two or more flanges of the fitment. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 25  wherein the heat stakes are formed from spikes configured to pierce the shell. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 25  wherein the one or more heat stakes are formed from at least a polymer. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled)