Collapsible bag and liner combination

Claim 2

A packaging assembly comprising: a protective liner constructed of rigid or semi-rigid, protrusion resistant material having two side walls, a bottom wall, and two end walls, each said end wall comprising two end portions, said protective liner provided with joints along a central, longitudinal portion of said bottom wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with each said end wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with said bottom wall, and at an intersection of said end portions forming each of said end walls, said liner when folded upon itself along said joints forming a flat form with each said end portion extended outwardly from its adjacent side wall; and an outer bag of flexible sheet material closed except for an open top and being wider than the length of said protective liner side wall plus two adjacent said end wall portions when folded flat, the inner surface of said bag attached to the outer surface of said liner along an upper portion of said side and end walls, said central bottom joint of said protective liner being located adjacent the bottom of said bag whereby said packaging assembly may be folded flat for storage and transport and converted to a substantially rectangular box closed on five sides by said liner providing side, end, and bottom walls when said outer bag is opened, and said open top of said bag extending beyond the top opening of said side and end walls of said liner.

Claim 3

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said side walls have substantially the same dimensions, said end walls have substantially the same dimensions, said side walls are substantially parallel to each other, said end walls are substantially parallel to each other, and said side walls and end walls are substantially perpendicular to each other and to said bottom wall when said packaging assembly is in an open, three dimensional, loading position.

Claim 4

A packaging assembly according to claim 2, wherein said side walls are integral with said bottom wall and said joints at said intersection of said side walls with said bottom wall are formed by folds, scores, perforations, or hinges.

Claim 5

A packaging assembly according to claim 3, wherein each end of each said side wall is integral with an adjacent said end portion and said joints at said intersection of said side walls with said adjacent end portions are formed by folds, scores, perforations, or hinges.

Claim 6

A packaging assembly according to claim 4, wherein adjacent said end portions comprising each said end wall are discontinuous and said joint at said intersection of said adjacent end portions is defined by a space.

Claim 7

A packaging assembly according to claim 5, wherein said protective liner is plastic coated paperboard.

Claim 8

A packaging assembly according to claim 6, wherein said flexible outer bag is heat sealable polymeric material.

Claim 9

A packaging assembly according to claim 7, wherein said heat sealable polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Claim 10

A packaging assembly according to claim 7 wherein said flexible outer bag comprises a continuous extruded tubular sheet sealed along one end to form a bottom of said bag.

Claim 11

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said protective liner is centrally positioned within said flexible outer bag whereby side extensions of said bag are formed extending beyond said liner ends.

Claim 12

A packaging assembly according to claim 10, wherein said side extensions of said flexible outer bag extend beyond each said end wall a distance corresponding to about 10 percent to about 50 percent the width of said end wall.

Claim 13

A packaging assembly according to claim 11, wherein said side extensions extend beyond each said end wall a distance corresponding to about 20 percent to about 30 percent the width of said end wall.

Claim 14

A packaging assembly according to claim 12, wherein said attachment of said flexible outer bag to said protective liner is continuous along said liner side and end walls and continues to seal said side extensions together.

Claim 15

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said flexible outer bag is additionally attached to said protective liner along a lower portion of said liner side walls and end walls.

Claim 16

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outer bag is attached to said protective liner by adhesive.

Claim 17

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outer bag is attached to said protective liner by sealing means.

Claim 18

A packaging assembly according to claim 16, wherein said sealing means is heat sealing.

Claim 19

A packaging assembly according to claim 17, wherein said flexible outer bag is heat sealed to said protective liner by means of a continuous seal.

Claim 20

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, additionally comprising a separate rigid or semi-rigid cover of a size to cover products packed in said protective liner and to fit entirely within said outer flexible bag.

Claim 21

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said protective liner comprises plastic coated paperboard.

Claim 22

A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein said flexible outer bag comprises heat sealable polymeric material.

Claim 23

In a packaging assembly for bulk meat products, the improvement comprising: a protective liner constructed of rigid or semi-rigid, protrusion resistant material preventing protrusion of bones, having two side walls, a bottom wall, and two end walls, each said end wall comprising two end portions, said protective liner provided with joints along a central, longitudinal portion of said bottom wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with each said end wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with said bottom wall, and at an intersection of said end portions forming each of said end walls, said liner when folded upon itself along said joints forming a flat form with each said end portion extended outwardly from its adjacent side wall; and an outer bag of flexible sheet material closed for modified atmosphere packaging except for an open top and being wider than the length of said protective liner side wall plus two adjacent said end wall portions when folded flat, the inner surface of said bag attached to the outer surface of said liner along an upper portion of said side and end walls, said central bottom joint of said protective liner being located adjacent the bottom of said bag whereby said packaging assembly may be folded flat for storage and transport and converted to a substantially rectangular box closed on five sides by said liner providing side, end, and bottom walls when said outer bag is opened, and said open top of said bag extending beyond the top opening of said side and end walls of said liner.

Claim 24

In a packaging assembly for bulk meat products, the improvement comprising: a protective liner constructed of rigid or semi-rigid, protrusion resistant material preventing protrusion of bones, having two side walls, a bottom wall, and two end walls, each said end wall comprising two end portions, said protective liner provided with joints along a central, longitudinal portion of said bottom wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with each said end wall, at an intersection of each said side wall with said bottom wall, and at an intersection of said end portions forming each of said end walls, said liner when folded upon itself along said joints forming a flat form with each said end portion extended outwardly from its adjacent side wall; and an outer bag of flexible sheet material closed for modified atmosphere packaging except for an open top and being wider than the length of said protective liner side wall plus two adjacent said end wall portions when folded flat, the inner surface of said bag attached to the outer surface of said liner along an upper portion of said side and end walls, said central bottom joint of said protective liner being located adjacent the bottom of said bag whereby said packaging assembly may be folded flat for storage and transport and converted to a substantially rectangular box closed on five sides by said liner providing side, end, and bottom walls when said outer bag is opened, and said open top of said bag extending beyond the top opening of said side and end walls of said liner.