Container, packaging, and method for producing same

Abstract

A container comprises a plant based structural layer having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, and a pre-formed polymeric liner layer secured to the plant based structural layer and lining at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface.

1 . A package comprising:
 a) a container comprising a plant based first structural layer having a first inner surface and an opposed first outer surface, and a pre-formed polymeric first liner layer secured to the first structural layer and lining at least one of a portion of the first inner surface and a portion of the first outer surface; and   b) a lid removably securable to the container and comprising a plant based second structural layer having a second inner surface and an opposed second outer surface, and a pre-formed polymeric second liner layer secured to the second structural layer and lining at least one of a portion of the second inner surface and a portion of the second outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first liner layer is removably secured to the first structural layer, and the second liner layer is removably secured to the second structural layer. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second liner layers are secured to the first and second structural layers respectively with an adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second liner layers are mechanically secured to the first and second structural layers, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural layer comprises a base and a first sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and defines a first opening. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the first sidewall has an upper end defining the first opening and comprising an upper end face, and wherein the first liner layer comprises an overlap portion that includes a radially extending lip extending across the upper end face, and a downwardly extending first skirt extending along a portion of the first outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , further comprising a separately formed first collar for threadably securing the lid to the container, the first collar received around the overlap portion of the first liner layer, and having a threaded outer circumference for mating with the lid, wherein the first skirt has a plurality of apertures extending through a wall thickness thereof, and the first collar is adhered to the first structural layer via the apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein: i) the second structural layer comprises a top wall and a downwardly extending second side wall, and defines a second opening; ii) the second liner layer comprises a downwardly extending second skirt; and iii) the lid further comprises a separately formed second collar for threadably securing the lid to the container, the second collar received in the second skirt, and having a threaded inner circumference for mating with the container. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the second skirt has a plurality of apertures extending through a wall thickness thereof, and the second collar is adhered to the second structural layer via the apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein: i) the first structural layer includes a first side piece, and a separately formed second side piece, each side piece comprising a base portion and a sidewall portion, and ii) each sidewall portion comprises a pair of generally vertically extending end faces and a pair of radially extending structural layer flanges adjacent the end faces. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein iii) the first liner layer comprises a pair of liner layer flanges extending radially outwardly therefrom, and each liner layer flange is sandwiched between one of the structural layer flanges of the first side piece and one of the structural layer flanges of the second side piece, and iv) the liner layer flanges comprise a plurality of apertures extending through a wall thickness thereof, and the structural layer flanges of the first side piece are adhered to the structural layer flanges of the second side piece via the apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first liner layer comprises a tongue, and the first structural layer comprises a groove, and the tongue is received in the groove and is frictionally secured therein. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first liner layer and the second liner layer is fabricated from silicone. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first structural layer and the second structural layer is fabricated from bagasse. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is removably securable to the container by screw-fit, snap-fit, bayonet mount, or friction-fit. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first liner layer and second liner layer are waterproof, antimicrobial, inert, and/or gas impermeable. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first liner layer defines an interior volume that is sealed. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural layer comprises a pair of flexible panels, each panel having a pair of opposed side edges, the pair of panels being joined to each other along the side edges, the container movable between a flattened configuration in which the panels are flattened to provide a substantially flat container, and an expanded configuration in which the panels are flexed outwardly to define an interior volume of the container therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18 , wherein the first structural layer further comprises at least one end cap for retaining the container in the expanded configuration 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container is pleated. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural layer and/or the second structural layer comprises a plurality of sub-layers.