U.S. patent application number 10/683238 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for fluid container pouch.
This patent application is currently assigned to Super Chill Beverage Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stefandl, Roland E..
Application Number | 20040118859 10/683238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34435393 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040118859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stefandl, Roland E. |
June 24, 2004 |
Fluid container pouch
Abstract
A fluid container pouch has first and second opposing side walls
forming at least one enclosed chamber between them, each side wall
is comprised of a laminate material having at least two layers. A
first layer of the laminate is sealant layer for sealing to a
sealant layer of an opposed side wall. A second layer of the
laminate provides a barrier between the contents of the pouch and
its environment. Each of the first and second layers comprises a
material having oriented structure, such that energy sufficient to
tear the material will be directed in a predetermined direction
across the material, and further that the oriented structures of
the first and second layers are aligned with each other. At least
one design weakness in the pouch operative to direct tearing energy
in a direction aligned with the oriented structure of said first
and second layers.
Inventors: |
Stefandl, Roland E.;
(Princeton, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC
400 GARDEN CITY PLAZA
GARDEN CITY
NY
11530
|
Assignee: |
Super Chill Beverage Group,
Inc.
Princeton
NJ
08542
|
Family ID: |
34435393 |
Appl. No.: |
10/683238 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10683238 |
Oct 10, 2003 |
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10078870 |
Feb 19, 2002 |
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6652144 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/705 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5811 20130101;
B65D 77/283 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/705 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
To be secured by United States Letters Patent, what is claimed
is:
1. A sealed fluid container pouch comprising: a first enclosed
fluid chamber; a second enclosed fluid chamber, said second fluid
chamber being elevated above said first fluid chamber when the
pouch is upright; and at least two flow channels for fluid
communication between said first and second fluid chambers, wherein
a first one of said at least two flow channels comprises a drinking
straw substantially traversing the combined height of the first and
second chambers.
2. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein said
drinking straw comprises a flexible drinking straw.
3. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein an upper
portion of said pouch comprises at least one through hole.
4. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 further
comprising one or more design weaknesses for allowing the pouch to
be torn open.
5. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein at least
one side of said second fluid chamber is angled to bias fluid flow
towards a second one of said at least two flow channels.
6. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein said
pouch includes at least one gusset for allowing the pouch to expand
when filled.
7. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein a frontal
profile of said pouch is formed in a non-rectangular shape.
8. The fluid container pouch according to claim 7 wherein said
non-rectangular shape conforms to indicia on at least one wall of
said pouch.
9. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 wherein said
pouch is formed from a single sheet of a pliable material folded
onto itself and sealed along three sides.
10. The fluid container pouch according to claim 9 wherein said
pliable material comprises a polypropylene ply and a barrier
layer.
11. The fluid container pouch according to claim 10 wherein said
barrier layer comprises an aluminum layer.
12. The fluid container pouch according to claim 10 wherein said
barrier layer comprises a metalized coating.
13. The fluid container pouch according to claim 10 wherein said
barrier layer comprises a polyethylene vinyl alcohol layer.
14. The fluid container pouch according to claim 10 wherein said
barrier layer is oriented outwardly.
15. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1 further
comprising a resealable closure.
16. The fluid container pouch according to claim 15, wherein said
resealable closure is a tongue and groove closure.
17. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch comprises a laminate material having aligned oriented
structures.
18. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch comprises a tearable oriented material that presents a
significant barrier to moisture.
19. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch comprises a tearable oriented material that presents a
significant barrier to oxygen.
20. The fluid container pouch according to claim 1, wherein said
pouch comprises a tearable oriented material that presents a
significant barrier to alcohols.
21. A fluid container pouch comprising: first and second opposing
side walls forming at least one enclosed chamber between them, each
side wall comprised of a laminate material having at least two
layers: a first layer of said laminate being a sealant layer for
sealing to a sealant layer of an opposed side wall; and a second
layer of said laminate material providing at least a barrier
between the predetermined contents of the pouch and at least one
component of its environment, wherein each of said first and second
layers comprises a material having oriented structure such that
energy sufficient to tear the material will be directed in a
predetermined direction across the material, and further that the
oriented structures of the first and second layers are aligned with
each other; and at least one design weakness operative to direct
tearing energy in a direction aligned with the oriented structure
of said first and second layers.
22. The fluid container pouch according to claim 21, wherein said
laminate material further comprises a third layer facing an
exterior of the pouch.
23. The fluid container pouch according to claim 21, wherein said
third layer is reverse printed on an interior surface to show
indicia to an exterior surface.
24. The fluid container pouch according to claim 21, wherein said
third layer comprises a material selected from the group of
polyester, PET, oriented polypropylene, polyethylene and LLDPE.
25. The fluid container pouch according to claim 21, wherein said
second layer presents a significant barrier to one or more of
moisture, oxygen, and alcohol.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/078,870, filed 19 February 2002, now
pending, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention is related generally to the field of
packaging, and more particularly, to the packaging of fluids for
convenient storage, transportation, and use.
[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel
beverage container having a self-contained straw for ease of
consumption.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] The use of a pliable pouch to store fluids for convenient
storage, transportation, and use is well known in the art. For
example, such pouches may be used to store medical fluids for
intravenous infusion to a patient; or for purified water or saline
in a first aid kit. Such pouches are also used in conjunction with
beverages designed for human consumption.
[0007] When used as a container, the problem arises of how to open
the package, and thereafter use the contents without spillage. One
common solution in the beverage marketplace is to provide a wrapped
straw with each pouch, secured to the outside thereof. These straws
are generally rigid, and have a sharpened point at one end. Some
predetermined and appropriately designated weak point of the pouch
is punctured with the sharpened point of the straw, allowing
consumption of the contents.
[0008] This arrangement has certain drawbacks. For example, the
straw may become separated from the pouch prior to its intended
use. For reasons of durability and preservation of the contents, so
called barrier properties, such pouches are typically resilient,
and difficult to tear open by hand. In that case, the package could
only be opened with great force, likely spilling the contents in
the process. Therefore, it would be inconvenient to consume the
contents if the straw were separated.
[0009] Even if not separated, the wrapper of the straw may become
damaged, compromising its hygiene and that of the contents when the
straw is inserted into the pouch.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,914 issued to Schmit, et al., discloses
a fluid pouch having a straw enclosed within it. However, to
prevent fluid from flowing through the straw into an upper chamber,
the straw must be sealed by means of a complex folding procedure.
This would necessitate expenditure on labor or automated machinery
to perform this task.
[0011] Further, the lower chamber must be sealed around the straw.
In production, it would be common for the straw to be irreversibly
sealed in the process, for example, when heat is applied to seal
the pouch around the straw as described. Thereafter, the straw, and
consequently the pouch, would be unusable.
[0012] Other beverage pouches known in the art are taught, for
example, by Darmstadter, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,941,642 and 6,220,756-B1.
Darmstadter teaches the inclusion of a straw within the pouch,
however the pouch has only one chamber, and the straw is merely a
straight straw, not a flexible straw. Consequently, it extends very
little beyond the pouch when opened, and is therefore relatively
inconvenient to use.
[0013] Another beverage pouch containing a straw is taught by
Christine, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,591. Again, this straw is
straight, not flexible, and extends very little beyond the pouch
when opened. It is likewise inconvenient to use.
[0014] Moreover with respect to Christine, the pouch requires the
straw to be broken prior to use, and the pouch also requires a
sealed fitment at an upper end of the straw.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] To overcome these and other difficulties in the prior art,
disclosed is a fluid container pouch having a self-contained
flexible drinking or dispensing straw.
[0016] A fluid container pouch according to the present invention
comprises at least first and second fluid chambers having at least
two flow channels for fluid communication between said first and
second fluid chambers. At least one of said flow channels comprises
a flexible conduit, such as a flexible drinking straw.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
fluid beverage pouch is formed between opposing pliable sidewalls
made of a material consisting of a polypropylene ply having a
barrier layer on at least one side.
[0018] In accordance with the present invention, a fluid container
pouch is provided which is provided internally with a flexible
straw. This allows for convenient and hygienic consumption of the
beverage. This goal is further achieved while preventing fluid from
pooling in an upper chamber where a distal portion of a flexible
straw is held without the need for releasably sealing the straw in
the packaging process, nor the risk of inadvertently permanently
sealing the straw in the packaging process.
[0019] Further in accordance with the present invention, a beverage
container pouch is provided which achieves suitable barrier
properties as compared with currently used materials for such
purposes at a significantly reduced cost.
[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
a fluid container pouch has first and second opposing side walls
forming at least one enclosed chamber between them, each side wall
is comprised of a laminate material having at least two layers. A
first layer of the laminate is sealant layer for sealing to a
sealant layer of an opposed side wall. A second layer of the
laminate provides a barrier between the contents of the pouch and
its environment. Each of the first and second layers comprises a
material having oriented structure, such that energy sufficient to
tear the material will be directed in a predetermined direction
across the material, and further that the oriented structures of
the first and second layers are aligned with each other. At least
one design weakness in the pouch operative to direct tearing energy
in a direction aligned with the oriented structure of said first
and second layers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] These and other features and advantages will become apparent
from the following descriptions and drawings, where like numerals
designate like features across the several figures.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a prospective view of a filled fluid container
pouch according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the filled pouch;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of an unfilled fluid
container pouch according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of an unfilled fluid
pouch;
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates the flexible drinking straw used in
conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a pouch according to the
present invention after opening;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
6;
[0029] FIG. 7A shows the portion of FIG. 7 within circle 7A, 7B,
according to one embodiment, enlarged and in additional detail;
[0030] FIG. 7B shows the portion of FIG. 7 within circle 7A, 7B,
according to an alternate embodiment, enlarged and in additional
detail;
[0031] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of the pouch bearing indicia,
shown against a dark background to highlight the pouch
contours;
[0032] FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the upper portion of the
pouch according to a further embodiment, taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 3, including a resealable closure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a
filled fluid container pouch, generally 10, is illustrated. The
pouch has an upper portion 12, two lateral side portions 14, 16,
and a lower portion 18. First fluid chamber 20 and second fluid
chamber 22 are provided between opposing pliable walls 24 and 26.
First fluid chamber 20 and second fluid chamber 22 are generally
separated by a margin 12a formed in upper portion 12.
[0034] A flexible conduit, for example a flexible drinking straw
28, is provided within the pouch 10 between the first chamber 20
and the second chamber 22, forming a first flow path therebetween.
The flexible straw is unsealed, and provides a first flow path 29
allowing fluid communication between the first chamber 20 and the
second chamber 22. A second flow path 30 also allows fluid
communication between the second chamber 22 and the first chamber
20. In an exemplary embodiment, the second flow path 30 is coaxial
with, and surrounds, the flexible straw 28. In an alternate
embodiment, second flow path 30 is a one-way flow path permitting
flow only from the second chamber 22 to the first chamber 20.
[0035] One or more design weaknesses, e.g. tear notches 32a and
32b, are provided at upper portion 12 to allow the pouch to be torn
open by hand. One or more through holes 34a and 34b are provided in
upper portion 12 to allow the pouch to be hung from a rack, for
example in a retail store aisle or refrigerated case.
[0036] Some portion of the pouch, upper portion 12 in the example
of FIG. 1, can be formed in a non-rectangular fashion such as
defined by edges 35a, 35b. One method of doing this would be a
die-cut press, other methods are known in the art. These cuts can
be varied to conform to indicia printed on either or both walls 24,
26 of the pouch. With reference to FIG. 8, in one exemplary
embodiment, the indicia 110 include a scene having mountains with
clouds above the mountains. The indicia 110 is printed on at least
one wall, and the upper portion 12 of pouch 10 is die cut to the
shape of the clouds. Notch 32b can be formed to match the indicia
by a die-cut between a cloud above and a mountain slope below.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction of the
pouch will be described in more detail opposing pliable walls 24
and 26 can be formed either by joining two sheets of a suitable
material together and sealing the same along the upper portion 12,
both lateral portions 14, 16, and the lower portion 18. This can be
accomplished either by heat-sealing, or any other suitable means
known in the art. The flexibility of the pliable wall material will
allow the first chamber 20 and second chamber 22 to form between
opposing pliable walls 26 and 28 when filled with a liquid.
[0038] An alternative, and preferred construction is to fold a
single sheet of the desired pouch material onto itself, and sealing
along the upper portion 12, and both lateral portions 14, 16. More
preferably, whether formed of two separate sheets or a single
folded sheet, lower portion 18 is provided with at least one gusset
36 to allow expansion for additional fluid capacity, as well as to
strengthen the seal at the lower portion 18. Additionally, either
or both lateral portions may be provided with gussets irrespective
of any gusset 36 at a lower portion.
[0039] Pouch 10 may be constructed from a single layer material or
a multiple layer material. Materials commonly used for beverage
pouches include a polyester ply sandwiched between layers of
aluminum foil on either side. While aluminum foil is generally
considered an excellent barrier, it has certain drawbacks. Among
these, when the aluminum foil is flexed, micro and/or macro cracks
develop easily in the surface, which severely compromise the
barrier properties. Also, the aluminum foil is exceedingly
difficult to tear by hand, and if tearable, the direction of the
tear progresses randomly, necessitating other opening methods as
previously described.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7A, a more preferable material that
would allow reduced cost without sacrificing barrier properties is
a polypropylene film ply 101 having an oxygen barrier layer 103 on
one side only. The oxygen barrier layer 103 may be a metalized
coating, an aluminum foil layer, a polyethylene vinyl alcohol
layer, or other pliable material of suitable oxygen barrier
properties known in the art.
[0041] This combination provides significant advantages. The oxygen
barrier layer 103 supplements the oxygen barrier properties of the
polypropylene. This is particularly important for carbohydrate-rich
beverage liquids, where exposure to oxygen during shipment and
storage adversely affects the contents' quality, even suitability
for consumption. Furthermore, the above barrier properties can be
realized at a reduced cost over the polyester material sandwiched
between layers of aluminum foil as is commonly used.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 7A, the pouch 10 is preferably formed
by orienting the oxygen barrier layer 103 outward. The outward
facing barrier layer allows the superior moisture barrier
properties of the polyethylene layer 101 to prevent contact between
fluid contents of the pouch and the oxygen barrier layer, which
could compromise the properties of the oxygen barrier layer 103.
Pouch 10 may then be formed by folding a single sheet of such
material in the manner described above.
[0043] The choice of barrier layer materials may be influenced by
aesthetic concerns without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, a pouch having an outwardly facing
metalized or aluminum foil oxygen barrier layer will have a
reflective outer surface, which would allow attractive and
eye-catching indicia to be applied. Use of polyethylene vinyl
alcohol for the oxygen barrier has the advantage of transparency,
which could be combined with a transparent polypropylene layer to
make the contents of the package visible.
[0044] In a more preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7B, a
multiple ply laminate material comprises an innermost sealant layer
150. The sealant layer may comprise polyethylene, but other
materials may be suitable. Polyethylene has the advantage of a low
melting point. Therefore, two sheets of the sidewall material can
be brought together with respective sealant layers inward towards
each other. Heat may be applied from an external source, at a
temperature above the low melting point of the polyethylene, but
below that of other layers. Therefore, the sealant layers melt
together, forming a hermetic seal in region 152. The seal 152
exists only at the margins of the pouch 10, and the sealant ply 150
is open to the first and second chambers 20, 22, where no seal is
formed. In a more preferred embodiment, the polyethylene is linear
low density polyethylene (LLDPE). LLDPE is more rigid, and has
improved tearing characteristics, as described infra. In another
embodiment, heat may be applied to opposing sealant layers 150
before the two are brought together. Other sealing methods,
including but not limited to folding, or application of solvent or
adhesive may be substituted.
[0045] The preferred laminate material further comprises a barrier
layer 154, which is bonded to sealant layer 150 by an adhesive
layer 156. Barrier layer 154 may itself comprise multiple layers.
In the prior art, suitable barriers would include an aluminum foil
layer. Polypropylene, though exhibiting other desirable qualities,
is not ordinarily considered to have acceptable oxygen barrier
properties. However, recent advances in materials technology have
developed a composite polypropylene material, which includes a
vacuum deposited aluminum layer as part of a laminate material. An
example of such material is marketed under the OPPALYTE brand name
by ExxonMobil Chemical Corporation, more specifically designated
Ultra-High Barrier 35 MU 842.
[0046] The material 35 MU 842 provides significant barrier to the
permeation of oxygen, water vapor, and flavor or aroma, previously
unavailable in a polypropylene material. Additionally, as compared
to other materials having similar barrier properties, for example a
foil and polyester composite discussed above, the material 35 MU
842 retains its barrier properties after being subject to flexing
and/or folding.
[0047] To the exterior of the barrier layer 154, an additional
adhesive layer 158 bonds to an external layer 160. The external
layer 160 may comprise polyester, PET, oriented polypropylene,
polyethylene or LLDPE, among other materials. The external layer
160 may be present to provide additional puncture resistance or
other generalized content protection, depending upon the selection
of the other materials. In alternate embodiments, the external
layer 160 and sealant layer 154 may be omitted. The exterior layer
160 may be reverse-printed on its inner surface to display indicia
to its exterior surface, in a manner known in the art.
[0048] The precise choice of materials will be dependent upon the
particular application, and more specifically the intended contents
of the pouch and the requisite barrier properties. For example, an
oxygen barrier is desirable for a carbohydrate-rich beverage
prepared without preservatives. In another contemplated
application, the pouch will contain one or more doses of liquid
pharmaceutical for medical delivery. Many medications, for example
a cough medication, contain significant amounts of alcohol.
Therefore, the pouch material must present a significant barrier to
at least alcohol and moisture. However, such medications are often
preserved for extended shelf life, making oxygen barrier less of a
concern. In that case, other barrier materials may be provided in
place of, or in addition to, an oxygen barrier material. These
include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyester, polystyrene,
fluoropolymers and ethyl vinyl alcohol, among others. Each of the
named materials maintains orientation and tearability in accordance
with other aspects of the present invention. Other contemplated
applications of the present invention include, but are not limited
to, the dosing and application of pesticides. The particular
pesticide in question will present needs for particular barrier
properties, which will drive the material selection, without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the use of the beverage
container pouch will be described. In transportation and handling,
the contents may flow via the flexible straw 28 between the first
chamber 20 and the second chamber 22. It is, however, undesirable
for fluid contents to be pooled in the second chamber when the
pouch is opened. For this purpose, second flow path 30 allows for
any fluid conducted into the second chamber 22 via flexible straw
28 to recycle back to the first chamber 20 under the influence of
gravity via second flow path 30 when the package is placed in an
upright orientation, for example when being opened. To aid in this
recycling, a lower edge 40 of second chamber 22 can be angled to
bias any fluid within the second chamber 22 towards the second flow
path 30 and thereafter into the first chamber 20.
[0050] To open the pouch, a user would tear the upper portion 12,
beginning at a designated weakness, for example notch 32b.
Proceeding in the direction of arrow 100, the second chamber 22
would be opened along tear line 204. Flexible straw 28 may be
biased in a manner that will cause it to rise in the direction of
arrow 102 once chamber 22 is free of any downward constraints from
upper portion 12. Therefore, an end of flexible straw 28 proximal
to the user rises appreciably above the top of the pouch 10. The
user may thereafter consume the beverage or otherwise use the
contents.
[0051] It is a problem in the prior art that the features of a
pouch that make it resilient also make the pouch difficult to open
in order to use or consume the contents. For example, aluminum
foil, commonly used in prior art pouches, is particularly resistant
to puncture or tear. Therefore, according to one aspect of the
present invention, the components of a multi-ply laminate material
have an oriented structure. More specifically, these oriented
structures are aligned parallel with each other and with the tear
line 204. Tear line 204 is shown horizontal to the pouch 10, but it
may traverse the pouch at any angle. The tear notch 32b
concentrates the stress of the tearing energy along the tear line
204, and in conjunction with the parallel aligned orientation of
the material structure, the tear progresses along the tear line 204
and across the pouch.
[0052] Further, it is more preferable to have the tear line 204
transect an open portion of at least one chamber, in this case the
second chamber 22. In this way, as the tear progresses along the
tear line 204, the user need only tear two single plies for at
least a portion of the tear, which presents less resistance than
the margin portion where the two opposing plies are sealed
together.
[0053] In yet a further embodiment of the invention, referring to
FIG. 9, the pouch 10 is provided with a resealable closure 202 in
the second chamber 22. Resealable closure 202 may be of the
tongue-and-groove variety, wherein the seal is formed by the
interface of a tongue portion 202a and a groove portion 202b. Other
resealing means known in the art may be suitable as well.
Resealable closure 202 is provided below the tear line 204 defined
by notch 32.
[0054] In the case where flow path 30 is only a one-way flow path,
the pouch may be inverted and/or squeezed for dispensing the
contents. It is a further advantage to the present invention that
providing the straw within the pouch, particularly across the
diagonal dimension of the pouch as shown in the figures, enhances
the structural stability of the pouch in all dimensions,
particularly during handling and transportation.
[0055] The invention has been described herein with reference to
particular exemplary embodiments. Certain alterations and
modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art, without
departing from the scope of the invention. The exemplary
embodiments are not meant to be limiting on the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *