U.S. patent application number 10/987424 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for dual compartment flexible pouch and a fitment with dual-dispensing capabilities therefor.
Invention is credited to Bourque, Raymond Anthony, Chung, Daniel Young-Doo, Estabrook, Richard M., Kornick, Joseph, Olivares-Cordoba, Jose Tirso, Visioli, Donna Lynn.
Application Number | 20050109796 10/987424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34619342 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109796 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bourque, Raymond Anthony ;
et al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Dual compartment flexible pouch and a fitment with dual-dispensing
capabilities therefor
Abstract
Disclosed is a dual-dispensing plastic fitment comprising (a) a
substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally
formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced
open ends; (b) the dividing rib extending from the body portion to
provide at least one downwardly projecting welding rib; (c) at
least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the base of the
body portion on the outer periphery thereof and outwardly
projecting therefrom. Also disclosed are dual compartment flexible
pouches and packages incorporating the fitment.
Inventors: |
Bourque, Raymond Anthony;
(Plymouth, MA) ; Chung, Daniel Young-Doo;
(Chicago, IL) ; Estabrook, Richard M.; (Milford,
MA) ; Kornick, Joseph; (Chicago, IL) ;
Olivares-Cordoba, Jose Tirso; (Chicago, IL) ;
Visioli, Donna Lynn; (Lower Gwynedd, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
LEGAL PATENT RECORDS CENTER
BARLEY MILL PLAZA 25/1128
4417 LANCASTER PIKE
WILMINGTON
DE
19805
US
|
Family ID: |
34619342 |
Appl. No.: |
10/987424 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60519297 |
Nov 12, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 ; 222/107;
222/129; 222/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3261 20130101;
B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/094 ;
222/107; 222/129; 222/566 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dual-compartment flexible pouch comprising a fitment and two
compartments wherein the compartments are contiguous to each other;
each compartment is in fluid communication with a through passage
of the fitment; and the compartments are separated by a dividing
seal.
2. The pouch of claim 1 wherein each compartment comprises a
fitment and each compartment is in fluid communication with a
through passage of the fitment.
3. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the pouch comprises one fitment;
the fitment comprises two through passages; and each compartment is
separately in fluid communication with one of the through
passages.
4. The pouch of claim 1 comprising a dual-dispensing fitment
comprising a substantially tubular body portion having a dividing
rib integrally formed therein defining two through passages having
axially spaced open ends and at least one basal welding rib
integrally formed near the base of the body portion on the outer
periphery thereof and outwardly projecting therefrom wherein the
dividing rib extending from the body portion to provide at least
one downwardly projecting welding rib.
5. The pouch of claim 1 that is a stand up pouch.
6. The pouch of claim 5 comprising (i) a first sheet of polymeric
film; (ii) a second sheet of polymeric film superimposed on the
first sheet of polymeric film wherein the first and second sheets
of polymeric film are sealed to each other directly or indirectly
through a third intervening polymeric film thus defining a sealed
perimeter forming a closed pouch; and (iii) a seal internal to the
perimeter of the closed pouch wherein the seal divides the closed
pouch into separated compartments.
7. The pouch of claim 6 comprising a fitment comprising two through
passages wherein one of the compartments is in fluid communication
with a first through passage of the fitment and the other of the
compartments is in fluid communication with the second through
passage of the fitment.
8. The pouch of claim 7 wherein the fitment comprising a
substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally
formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced
open ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near
the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and
outwardly projecting therefrom; and the dividing rib extending from
the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting
welding rib.
9. A dual-dispensing plastic fitment comprising a substantially
tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally formed
therein defining two through passages having axially spaced open
ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the
base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and
outwardly projecting therefrom; and the dividing rib extending from
the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting
welding rib.
10. The pouch of claim 9 being a flexible pouch or package.
11. A package comprising (a) a dual-compartment flexible pouch and
(b) two different beverages or viscous fluids wherein the pouch is
as recited in claim 1 and a first beverage or viscous fluid is
confined to one of the compartments and a second beverage or
viscous fluid is confined to the other of the compartments.
12. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 2.
13. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 3.
14. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 4.
15. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is a stand up
pouch.
16. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 6.
17. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 8.
18. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch is as recited in
claim 8.
19. The package of claim 11 wherein the pouch comprises a fitment
as recited in claim 9.
20. The package of claim 19 comprising the beverage.
21. The package of claim 19 comprising the viscous fluid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/519,297, filed Nov. 12, 2003, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This invention relates to dual compartment flexible pouches
and packages. This invention also relates to dual-dispensing
fitments and packages incorporating the fitments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Flexible pouches are known for use in packaging liquid,
fluid or paste-like products. The pouches are often intended for
single-use (i.e., a single serving) applications, but in some
instances may be reclosable for multiple uses. Particularly notable
are pouches for beverages such as juices and other flavored drinks
that are consumed directly from the pouch. Currently, flexible
beverage pouches are typically provided with a plastic-wrapped
pointed straw removably adhered to the pouch that is intended to
pierce the pouch in a predefined location to access the contents of
the pouch (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,646). However, these
pouches may be difficult to open, particularly by children, because
of the force and dexterity needed to pierce the pouch with the
straw. A portion of the contents also may be ejected from the pouch
due to the pressure needed to grip the pouch and insert the
straw.
[0004] Also notable are pouches for more viscous fluids such as
puddings, custards and yogurts that may be consumed directly from
the pouch. These pouches are typically hermetically sealed. Tearing
off one end of the pouch provides access to the contents of the
pouch. Again, the force and dexterity needed to tear off the end
off these pouches can make these pouches difficult to open,
especially for children.
[0005] Moreover, these pouches are not resealable if the contents
are not consumed in a single serving.
[0006] Alternatively, pouches may be provided with plastic fitments
to provide access to the contents. A typical fitment is designed to
fit between the webs of packaging film that form the pouch. The
connection between the fitment and the film forming the remainder
of the pouch is generally produced by means of an ultrasonic
welding process or a heat-sealing process. With known fitments, a
cap (for example, a screw cap) is provided for sealing a through
passage so that the latter can be repeatedly closed after opening
the sealed fitment. Hermetic sealing of the through passage by
means of an integrally formed, pierceable foil is also known. The
pierceable foil additionally acts as a tamper-proof seal. A
combination of a pierceable foil and a screw cap has also been
proposed. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,000,848 and 6,138,849 and US
Patent Application 2003/029138.
[0007] Dual compartment pouches and packages are known. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,345; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,234; and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,164,822. These packages are not suitable for selective
dispensing of the contents of one of the compartments because it is
difficult to selectively apply pressure to only one of the
compartments.
[0008] Combinations of yogurt and fruit puree have been packaged in
twin-tube pouches made of flexible film (Muller UK Corner
Squeezers). Instructions for use indicate that the package is to be
folded so that the two tubes are arranged in a facing manner and
then squeezed to simultaneously eject the contents. These pouches
have top seals that are torn off to access the contents and as a
consequence are not resealable.
[0009] It is desirable to provide dual compartment pouches suitable
for selectively dispensing two different fluids (e.g., different
flavored beverages) from the same container. Such selective
dispensing requires a pouch design that allows for manipulation of
the compartments individually or collectively as desired. This
allows the consumer to selectively dispense (and consume) either
fluid separately or a combination of the two fluids. For example,
different flavored beverages may be dispensed and tasted
individually or dispensed simultaneously for a pleasing "mix in
mouth" experience. It is also desirable to provide such pouches
with plastic fitments for ease of opening and reclosability,
suitable for selective or simultaneous dispensing of two different
fluids having a flexible multiple-compartment, and robust enough to
withstand conventional shipment and customer handling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention includes a dual-compartment flexible pouch
wherein the dual compartments are arranged in a contiguous
(edge-to-edge) manner; and one of the compartments is in fluid
communication with a through passage of a fitment and the other of
the compartments is in fluid communication with a different through
passage of a fitment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 represents a frontal perspective view of a
dual-compartment, flat film embodiment of the flexible pouch
incorporating at least one fitment (two are shown).
[0012] FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of the pouch shown
in FIG. 1 as seen through line A-A'.
[0013] FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional schematic view of a
beverage container in the form of a two-compartment stand-up pouch
with a plastic fitment comprising two through passages.
[0014] FIG. 4 represents a frontal view of a fitment according to a
preferred embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5 represents a frontal view of a fitment according to
another preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A preferred embodiment of the dual-compartment pouch
comprises a plastic fitment comprising two through passages wherein
one of the compartments is in fluid communication with a first
through passage of said fitment and the other of the compartments
is in fluid communication with the second through passage of said
plastic fitment.
[0017] The dual-dispensing plastic fitment can comprise a
substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally
formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced
open ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near
the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and
outwardly projecting therefrom; and the dividing rib extending from
the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting
welding rib.
[0018] The invention also provides the use of the fitments
described above in dual-compartment flexible pouches and
packages.
[0019] The dual compartments can be arranged in a contiguous
(edge-to-edge) manner and comprise the dual-dispensing plastic
fitment.
[0020] When the compartments are used as beverage package, a first
beverage is confined to one of the compartments and a second
beverage is confined to the other.
[0021] The dual component flexible pouch of component (a) can
comprise or be produced from (i) a first sheet of polymeric film;
(ii) a second sheet of polymeric film superimposed on the first
sheet of polymeric film in which the first and second sheets of
polymeric film can be sealed to each other directly or indirectly
through a third intervening polymeric film thus defining a sealed
perimeter forming a closed pouch; and (iii) a seal internal to the
perimeter of the closed pouch wherein the seal divides the closed
pouch into separated compartments.
[0022] Component (a) may also comprise a plastic fitment comprising
two through passages in which one of the compartments is in fluid
communication with a first through passage of said fitment and the
other of the compartments is in fluid communication with the second
through passage of the plastic fitment.
[0023] The package can also be used for viscous fluids where one of
the compartments is in fluid communication with a through passage
of a plastic fitment and the other is in fluid communication with a
different through passage of a plastic fitment and the package
comprises two different viscous fluids in which a first fluid is
confined to one of the compartments and a second fluid is confined
to the other.
[0024] As indicated above, this invention provides a dual
compartment flexible pouch wherein the dual compartments are
arranged in a contiguous (edge-to-edge) manner and incorporating at
least one plastic fitment.
[0025] Although the invention is predominantly disclosed and
illustrated herein in the preferred form or embodiment of a
flexible, dual-compartment beverage pouch, the underlying concepts
and functionality of the invention are applicable to any flexible
film pouch packaging system wherein two fluids (i.e., liquid, gas,
paste, gel, slurry, or the like) are held in separate compartments
to be selectively or simultaneously dispensed. Of note is a
beverage package containing two different beverages in the two
compartments. A beverage pouch includes not only drinks such as
juice, milk, tea, coffee and the like but also include yogurt and
even more viscous fluids such as custards. Selecting a polymer film
or multi-layered film, sealing the perimeter of a pouch, and
forming an internal seal dividing the pouch into separate
compartments are common to both pouch and beverage container
embodiments.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible container
according to the present invention (reference numeral 10) can
involve two superimposed sheets 12 and 14 (FIG. 2) of polymer film
circumferentially sealed at the perimeter or edge 16, thus forming
a pouch 18. Alternatively, the flexible container involves a single
sheet of film (not shown) folded back on itself and sealed along
essentially three sides to form the pouch. Internal to the pouch 18
is a dividing seal 20 dividing the container 10 into two separated
compartments 22 and 24. The container is also equipped with
reclosable fitments 25 and 26, in fluid communication with
compartments 22 and 24 respectively, integrally sealed in the upper
portion of the perimeter 16 of the pouch 18.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective of the
pouch in FIG. 1 viewed along the line A-A'. In this view, the bow
tie or dumbbell cross-sectional shape of the pouch can be observed.
Applying pressure to compartment 22 along the axis defined by the
line B-B' (e.g., by squeezing) causes the contents of compartment
22 to be forced out of the compartment into the through passage of
the fitment 25 and expelled (i.e., dispensed). Similarly, applying
pressure to compartment 24 along the axis C-C' causes the contents
of compartment 24 to be forced out of the compartment into the
through passage of the fitment 26. The dividing seal 20 prevents
the pressure exerted on one compartment to be transferred to the
other compartment, allowing one to selectively dispense the
contents of an individual compartment. Simultaneously applying
pressure along the axes B-B' and C-C', or alternatively applying
pressure along the axis defined by the line A-A' allows one to
dispense the contents of both compartments simultaneously.
[0028] An alternate embodiment of a flexible container of this
invention is in the form of a two-compartment stand-up flexible
film pouch. Of note is a stand-up flexible film pouch used as a
beverage package containing two different beverages in the two
compartments. A stand-up pouch can comprise a pleat or gusset in
one end of the pouch to provide a bottom side that the pouch can
rest on to remain in a substantially vertical orientation. Standup
pouches may be fabricated from two or three webs of film depending
on their design. An embodiment of this invention is a stand up
pouch that comprises (i) a first sheet of polymeric film; (ii) a
second sheet of polymeric film superimposed on the first sheet of
polymeric film wherein the first and second sheets of polymeric
film are sealed to each other directly or indirectly through a
third intervening polymeric film thus defining a sealed perimeter
forming a closed pouch; and (iii) a seal internal to the perimeter
of the closed pouch wherein the seal divides the closed pouch into
separated compartments.
[0029] More preferred is a stand up pouch as described above
comprising a plastic fitment comprising two through passages
wherein one of said compartments is in fluid communication with a
first through passage of said fitment and the other of said
compartments is in fluid communication with the second through
passage of said plastic fitment. Preferred is a stand up pouch
comprising a dual-dispensing plastic fitment comprising (a) a
substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally
formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced
open ends; (b) at least one basal welding rib integrally formed
near the base of said body portion on the outer periphery thereof
and outwardly projecting therefrom; and optionally (c) the dividing
rib extending from said body portion to provide at least one
downwardly projecting welding rib.
[0030] In addition to the rib form, the fitment can be bridge or
the bow-tie form as shown in FIG. 2.
[0031] Optionally the film can be extended beyond the fitment and
sealing its edges when the fitment is sealed in place thereby
creating a "dust cover" over the fitment. The "dust cover" can be
torn away along a perforation at the fitment seal to remove it.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an
alternate embodiment of a flexible container 10 in the form of a
two-compartment stand-up flexible film beverage pouch. The
respective elements comprising this embodiment are identified by
using the corresponding reference numerals employed in describing
the beverage container illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This
embodiment differs from the previous container of FIGS. 1 and 2 in
that the bottom 28 involves a folded gusset structure 30 allowing
the container 10 to be freestanding. Such an embodiment also
typically involves a more complex perimeter seal and/or folding
configuration to create the gusset 30 and bottom surface 28. FIG. 3
also illustrates a fitment 27.
[0033] Flexible pouches can be constructed of flexible packaging
films. The sheets of polymeric film employed to make the wrapper
sheet of the flexible pouch can be a single layer or multilayer
polymeric film. Also, any such film grade polymeric resin or
material as generally known in the art of packaging can be
employed. Preferably, a multilayer polymeric film structure is to
be employed. Typically the multilayer polymeric sheet can involve
at least three categorical layers including, but not limited to, an
outermost structural or abuse layer, an inner barrier layer, and an
innermost layer making contact with and compatible with the
intended contents of the package and capable of forming the
necessary seals (e.g., most preferably heat-sealable) to itself and
the fitment. Other layers may also be present to serve as adhesive
or "tie" layers to help bond these layers together.
[0034] The outermost structural or abuse layer can be oriented
polyester or oriented polypropylene, but can also include oriented
polyamide (nylon) or paper or foil. This layer preferably is
reverse printable and advantageously unaffected by the sealing
temperatures used to make the package, since the package is sealed
through the entire thickness of the multilayer structure. The
thickness of this layer can control the stiffness of the pouch, and
may range from about 10 to about 60 .mu.m, preferably about 50
.mu.m.
[0035] The inner layer can include one or more barrier layers,
depending on which atmospheric conditions (oxygen, humidity, light,
and the like) that potentially can affect the product inside the
pouch. The barrier layer also contains the contents within the
pouch. Barrier layers can be, for example, metallized polypropylene
(PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene vinyl alcohol
(EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, aluminum
foil, nylon, blends or composites of the same as well as related
copolymers thereof. Barrier layer thickness may depend on factors
such as the sensitivity of the product and the desired shelf
life.
[0036] The structure and barrier layers can be combined to comprise
several layers of polymers that provide effective barriers to
moisture and oxygen and bulk mechanical properties suitable for
processing and/or packaging the product, such as clarity, toughness
and puncture-resistance. Examples of multilayer barrier structures
suitable for use in this invention include, from outermost to
innermost:
[0037] polyethylene/tie layer/polyamide/tie layer/sealant;
[0038] polyethylene/tie layer/EVOH/tie layer/sealant;
[0039] polyethylene/tie layer/polyamide/EVOH/polyamide/tie
layer/sealant; and
[0040] polypropylene/tie layer/polyamide/EVOH/polyamide/tie
layer/sealant.
[0041] The innermost layer of the package is the sealant. The
sealant preferably has minimum effect on taste or color of the
contents, is unaffected by the product, and withstands sealing
conditions (such as liquid droplets, grease, dust, or the like).
The sealant also bonds to the fitment by means of an ultrasonic
welding process or a heat-sealing process. The sealant can be a
polymeric layer or coating that can be bonded to itself (sealed) at
temperatures substantially below the melting temperature of the
outermost layer so that the outermost layer's appearance may not be
affected by the sealing process and may not stick to the jaws of
the sealing bar. Sealants include ethylene polymers, such as low
density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene
(LLDPE), metallocene polyethylene (mPE), or copolymers of ethylene
with vinyl acetate (EVA) or methyl acrylate or copolymers of
ethylene and acrylic (EA) or methacrylic acid (EMA), optionally as
ionomers (i.e., partially neutralized with metal ions such as Na,
Zn, Mg, or Li); polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene
copolymers, and combinations of two or more thereof. Sealant layers
can be about 25 to about 100 .mu.m thick.
[0042] Polyamides (nylon) suitable for use herein include aliphatic
polyamides, amorphous polyamides, or a mixture of two or more
thereof including copolyamides. Preferred aliphatic polyamides for
use in the invention are nylon 6, nylon 6.66, blends and mixtures
thereof. Nylon 6.66 is commercially available under the trademarks
"Ultramid.RTM. C4" and "Ultramid.RTM. C35" from BASF, or under the
tradename "Ube.RTM. 5033FXD27" from Ube Industries Ltd. Nylon 6 is
commercially available under the tradename Capron.RTM. from
Honeywell International.
[0043] The film may further comprise other polyamides such as those
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,408,000; 4,174,358; 3,393,210;
2,512,606; 2,312,966 and 2,241,322, which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0044] The film may also comprise partially aromatic polyamides.
Some 1
[0045] suitable partially aromatic copolyamides include the
amorphous nylon resins 6-I/6-T commercially available under the
trademark Selar.RTM. PA from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company,
Wilmington, Del. (DuPont) or commercially available under the
tradename Grivory.RTM. G 21 from EMS-Chemie AG.
[0046] Polyolefins can include polypropylene or polyethylene
polymers and copolymers comprising ethylene or propylene.
Polyethylene polymers can include linear polyethylenes such as
high-density polyethylene (HDPE), LLDPE, very low or ultralow
density polyethylenes (VLDPE or ULDPE) and branched polyethylenes
such as LDPE. The densities of polyethylenes suitable for use in
the present invention range from 0.865 g/cc to 0.970 g/cc. Linear
polyethylenes for use herein can incorporate alpha-olefin
comonomers such as butene, hexene or octene to decrease their
density within the density range so described. The impermeable film
useful in the present invention can comprise ethylene copolymers
such as ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene methyl acrylate and
ethylene (meth)acrylic acid polymers. Polypropylene polymers useful
in the practice of the present invention include propylene
homopolymers, impact modified polypropylene and copolymers of
propylene and alpha-olefins.
[0047] Ionomers are copolymers of an olefin such as ethylene and an
unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic
acid and optionally softening monomers wherein at least one or more
alkali metal, transition metal, or alkaline earth metal cations,
such as Na, K or Zn, are used to neutralize some portion of the
acidic groups in the copolymer, resulting in a thermoplastic resin
exhibiting enhanced properties. For example, ethylene/(meth)acrylic
acid (E/(M)AA) is a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid and/or
ethylene/methacrylic acid (MAA) are at least partially neutralized.
Terpolymers can also be made from an olefin such as ethylene, an
unsaturated carboxylic acid and other comonomers such as alkyl
(meth)acrylates to provide "softer" resins that can be neutralized
to form softer ionomers. Ionomers are known conventionally and
their method of preparation is described in, for example, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,344,014. Ionomers and blends thereof with other polymeric
resins are sold by DuPont under the trademark "Surlyn.RTM.".
[0048] Anhydride or acid-modified ethylene and propylene homo- and
co-polymers can be used as extrudable adhesive layers (also known
as "tie" layers) to improve bonding of layers of polymers together
when the polymers do not adhere well to each other, thus improving
the layer-to-layer adhesion in a multilayer structure. The
compositions of the tie layers can be determined according to the
compositions of the adjoining layers that need to be bonded in a
multilayer structure. Various tie layer compositions are
commercially available under the trademark Bynel.RTM. from
DuPont.
[0049] EVOH having from about 20 to about 50 mole % ethylene can be
used. Suitable polyethylene vinyl alcohol polymers are commercially
available under the tradename Evalca.RTM. from Kuraray or
commercially available under the tradename Noltex.RTM. from Nippon
Goshei.
[0050] PVDC polymers and copolymers suitable for use herein as
coatings or films can be obtained commercially from Dow Chemical
under the tradename Saran.RTM..
[0051] Films useful in the present invention can additionally
comprise optional materials, such as the conventional additives
used in polymer films including plasticizers, stabilizers,
antioxidants, ultraviolet ray absorbers, hydrolytic stabilizers,
anti-static agents, dyes or pigments, fillers, fire-retardants,
lubricants, reinforcing agents such as glass fiber and flakes,
processing aids, antiblock agents, release agents, and/or mixtures
thereof.
[0052] Pouches can be formed from web stock by either cutting and
heat-sealing separate pieces of web stock or by a combination of
folding and heat sealing with cutting. Pouch making equipment such
as that made by Totani Corporation, Kyoto, Japan, or Klockner
Barlelt Co., Gordonsville, Va., can be used. The heat-sealed
perimeter of the pouch and the internal dividing seal can be
achieved by superimposing the first and second sheets of polymeric
film and then heat sealing each directly to the other or heat
sealing them indirectly through the use of an intervening third
polymeric film, again as generally known to one skilled in the
art.
[0053] It is contemplated that the sheet of polymeric film (i.e.,
the so-called "web stock") may be produced using any combinations
of the processes known in the art, such as monolayer or multilayer
casting, blowing film, extrusion lamination, and adhesive
lamination and combinations thereof. A laminate film can be
prepared by coextrusion as follows. Granulates of the various
components can be melted in extruders. The molten polymers can be
passed through a die or set of dies to form layers of molten
polymers that are processed as a laminar flow and then cooled to
form a layered structure. Molten extruded polymers can be converted
into a film using a suitable converting technique. For example, a
film can also be made by (co)extrusion followed by lamination onto
one or more other layers.
[0054] The thermoplastic film may also be laminated to a substrate
such as foil, paper, or nonwoven fibrous material to provide a
packaging material useful in this invention. The packaging material
may also be processed further by, for example without limitation,
printing, embossing, and/or coloring to provide a packaging
material to provide information to the consumer about the product
therein and/or to provide for a pleasing appearance of the
package.
[0055] A film useful in this invention can also be processed on a
film fabrication machine at a speed from about 5 meters per minute
(m/min) to a speed of about 200 m/min.
[0056] The pouch can provide a mechanism to allow the consumer easy
access to the contents by use of at least one fitment or spout,
such as those sold by Menshen Packaging USA, Waldwick, N.J., or
Portola Packaging, San Jose, Calif. The fitment or spout is
preferably sealed inside the top or side of the pouch. The fitment
or spout is molded from a material that can be sealed to the pouch
by induction, heat, or laser energy. The sealing can be done before
or after filling the pouch, depending on the equipment used.
Preferably when the fitment is employed for youth beverage pouch
applications the fitment is designed to be childproof such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,849, incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0057] The fitments disclosed herein include a one-piece molding of
an appropriate synthetic material, preferably PP or PE, including
LDPE, medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) and HDPE. Of note are PE
fitments that can be adhered to multi-layer films wherein the layer
to which the fitment is adhered comprises an ionomer. Of note are
fitments prepared from polyethylene having a density of typically
about 0.952 g/cc at 23.degree. C. with a melt flow index of about
6.2.
[0058] The upper end (the end that extends beyond the perimeter
seal of the pouch whereby the contents of the pouch are accessed)
of the fitment may be hermetically sealed by a cover. The cover may
be a pierceable or peelable monolayer or multilayer sheet
comprising polymeric material, paper and/or foil that is sealed
onto the upper end of the fitment by adhesive or heat sealing.
Hermetic sealing of the through passages of the fitments may be
accomplished by means of integrally formed, pierceable foils. The
pierceable foil additionally can act as a tamper-proof seal.
Alternatively, the cover may be a cap or stopper that is formed
such that the shape and dimensions of the cap member are adapted to
those of the body portion such that the cap member can be placed
onto the body portion for repeatedly sealing the through passages.
In other words, the shape of the cap is complementary to the shape
of the body portion of the fitment so that it can be held tightly
to the body portion by means such as friction fitting or screw
threads. The cap (for example, a screw cap) is provided for
covering the through passages so that the latter can be repeatedly
closed after opening the sealed fitment. A combination of a foil,
providing initial hermetic sealing, and a screw cap, providing a
means for reclosing the through passages, is also contemplated.
[0059] Alternatively, the capping means is a cap member that is
integrally formed on the upper end of the fitment near the through
passages. The cap member hermetically seals the adjacent end of
said through passages in that the cap member is attached to the
body portion through a weakened portion adapted to break when a
rotational force is exerted by hand on the cap member. The shape
and dimensions of the cap member may be adapted to those of the
body portion such that the cap member can be placed onto the body
portion for repeatedly sealing the through passages after it has
been separated from the body portion.
[0060] Optionally, the cap is connected to the body portion by
means of a strap extending between the cap and body portion. The
strap provides a permanent connection between the cap member and
the tubular body portion so that the two parts remain connected to
one another.
[0061] In some applications, cap members may be provided such that
each through passage can be capped individually with its own cap
member, allowing one to access one compartment of the pouch while
keeping the other compartment closed.
[0062] A dual-dispensing plastic fitment can comprise (a) a
substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally
formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced
open ends; (b) at least one basal welding rib integrally formed
near the base of said body portion on the outer periphery thereof
and outwardly projecting therefrom; and optionally (c) said
dividing rib extending from said body portion to provide at least
one downwardly projecting welding rib.
[0063] This invention also provides for the use of the
dual-dispensing plastic fitment in a flexible pouch or beverage
package.
[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of a dual
dispensing fitment of this invention (31) comprising a tubular body
portion 34 having a dividing rib 36 that divides the body portion
34 into two through passages 38 and 40, which are open at their
base axial ends 39 and 41. In this embodiment, the through passages
38 and 40 diverge from the point below the dividing rib 36 and
extend downward. Basal welding ribs 46 (two groups of three ribs
each are shown in FIG. 4) are provided at the base of the tubular
body portion 34. The welding ribs 46 may be constructed in a manner
as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,383 to which
reference may therefore be made and incorporated herein. Partitions
47 traversing centrally through the welding ribs 46 and projecting
outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of the through passages
may be provided for strengthening the welding ribs 46 and for
maintaining their relative spacing. The welding ribs and the
partitions facilitate proper joining of the fitment (typically by
heat-sealing) to the packaging film to provide a pouch. A fitment
of this embodiment may be inserted between the polymeric films 12
and 14 that form the pouch 18 (see FIG. 1) such that the base axial
end of through passage 38 is in fluid communication with
compartment 22 and the base axial end of through passage 40 is in
fluid communication with compartment 24 of the pouch. The fitment
is sealed in the upper part of the perimeter seal 16 with the
dividing seal 20 joining the perimeter seal 16 in the region
between the basal ends of the through passages.
[0065] A substantially flat cap member 48 can be integrally formed
on the upper end of the fitment at the upper ends of the through
passages 38 and 40 to close the upper axial ends of the through
passages until the user wishes to access the contents of the pouch.
Cap member 48 is joined to the tubular body portion 34 by
extensions 50 and 52 that have weakened portions (i.e. thin regions
of material) adapted to break when a rotational force is exerted by
hand on the cap member 48. On removing the cap, the upper axial
ends of the through passages are open, providing fluid
communication from the compartments of the pouch to the exterior of
the fitment.
[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal cross-section of an alternate
fitment 27 in accordance with this invention, in which the fitment
is incorporated into a two-compartment pouch 18 by placing the
fitment between the sheets of polymeric film 12 and 14 and sealing
the fitment into the perimeter seal 16 at the top of the pouch. For
simplicity in description, components of the fitment of this
embodiment that do not change in function from the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4 and described above are labeled using
identical numbers. The fitment 27 comprises a tubular body portion
34 having a dividing rib 36 that divides the body portion 34 into
two through passages 38 and 40. The through passages extend beyond
the body portion into articulated straw ends 42 and 44
respectively. The through passages 38 and 40 are in respective
fluid communication with the compartments 22 and 24 of the pouch.
Basal welding ribs 46 formed near the base of the body portion 34
facilitates sealing the fitment 27 to the pouch 18 by providing an
area in contact with the polymeric films 12 and 14 that can be
sealed in the perimeter seal 16.
[0067] A flanged cap member 49 can be integrally formed on the
upper end of the fitment at the ends of the through passages 42 and
44. The cap member 49 is joined to the through passage ends 42 and
44 by weakened portions (i.e. circumferentially thin regions of
material) adapted to break when a rotational force is exerted by
hand on the cap member 48. As described above, removal of the cap
allows the user to access the contents of the package.
[0068] The dividing rib 36 extends downward from the body portion
34 to provide a downwardly projecting welding rib 54 (optional
element (c) of a fitment). The downwardly projecting welding rib 54
is positioned such that it is contiguous to the internal dividing
seal 20 and can be sealed to the film web concurrently with forming
and sealing the dividing seal 20.
[0069] As is illustrated in FIG. 5, an alternate fitment (reference
numeral 56) includes a tubular body portion 34 having an integrally
formed dividing rib defining two through passages (not shown).
[0070] The dividing rib extends downward from the body portion near
the base axial end 58 to provide at least one downwardly projecting
welding rib 50 (three welding ribs are shown in the present
example) that are formed integrally with the dividing rib. The
welding ribs 50 may be constructed in a manner as described in more
detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,383 to which reference may therefore
be made and incorporated herein. A partition 60 traversing
centrally through the welding ribs 50 may be provided for
strengthening the welding ribs 50 and for maintaining their
relative spacing. The partition 60 may also facilitate proper
joining of the fitment 1 to the packaging film to provide a
pouch.
[0071] A plurality of axially spaced basal welding ribs 46 (3
welding ribs in the present example) can be formed integrally on a
peripheral portion of the tubular body portion 34 near the base
open axial end 58. Partitions 47 traversing centrally through the
welding ribs 46 and projecting outwardly from diametrically
opposite sides of the tubular body portion 34 may be provided for
strengthening the welding ribs 46 and for maintaining their
relative spacing. The partition 47 may also facilitate proper
joining of the fitment 56 to the packaging film to provide a
pouch.
[0072] Pouches disclosed here can be prepared by providing a
continuous web of packaging film in which the film is oriented in a
U- or V-shaped trough. A stand-up pouch of the present invention
can be prepared by providing a continuous web of packaging film in
which the film comprises a gusset or pleat to provide a W-shaped
trough.
[0073] The continuous web of packaging film used to prepare a
flexible pouch may comprise a single sheet of film that is oriented
into a trough as described above. Alternatively, the web may
comprise two or three sheets of packaging film that are bonded
together by, for example, heat sealing seam(s) at the bottom of the
trough. In this alternative, the sheets may be the same or
different. For example, one sheet may be opaque, optionally with
graphic elements, and another sheet may be transparent to allow
visualization of the contents of the pouch. A particular form of
stand-up pouch comprises three sheets of packaging film, one of
which forms the bottom of the pouch and is pleated, and two that
form the sides of the pouch. The sheets are joined together by two
seams at the bottom of the trough. The seams provide sufficient
rigidity to the pouch to enable it to stand upright.
[0074] The trough-shaped web is divided into blanks the size of
individual dual compartment pouches by transverse seals prepared
typically by means of heat sealing to define a sealed perimeter
forming an open-ended pouch. A transverse seal internal to the
perimeter of the pouch provides a dividing element that divides the
pouch into separated compartments.
[0075] The fitment can be inserted between the margins of the film
web, and the fitment can be attached to the pouch by sealing the
fitment to the margins of the web. The downwardly projecting
welding rib(s) (element (b) of a fitment of this invention) is
positioned such that it is contiguous to the internal transverse
seal and can be sealed to the film web concurrently with forming
and sealing the dividing element. In this manner, the two
compartments of the pouch are separated throughout the package by
the dividing internal transverse seal and the dividing rib in the
fitment.
[0076] Each of the compartments of the pouch can be filled with the
desired amount of its respective fluid contents, typically by means
of metering valves. Each compartment can contain a different
fluid.
[0077] A top seal of the pouch can be made by sealing the fitment
to the margins of the web along the basal welding rib(s) (element
(c) a fitment) and sealing the margins to each other.
[0078] The individual pouches can be cut from the web by means of
transverse cutters. The operations of forming, filling, and sealing
the pouch can be prepared by performing the steps described above
concurrently and/or sequentially.
[0079] Individual pouches are sized according to the amount of
fluids they are intended to contain. Single-serving dual
compartment beverage pouches may be about 10 to 16 cm tall, about 7
to 10 cm wide with a wide base about 4 to 5 cm in depth and a bow
or dumbbell-shaped cross section and contain a total of about 150
to 250 ml of liquid in the two compartments. For example, a pouch
can be about 14 cm tall, 9 cm wide and contain 200 ml of liquid
(100 ml in each compartment), to provide a single serving for a
child. Pouches may also be larger, to contain larger amounts (for
example, a pouch may contain more than a single serving). Pouches
may also be smaller.
[0080] Although pouches are herein primarily illustrated and
disclosed with two compartments of equal size, pouches with
compartments of different sizes are also contemplated. For example,
a pouch may have one compartment that contains 150 ml of liquid and
a second compartment that contains 50 ml of liquid.
[0081] Similarly, fitments in accordance with this invention may
also have through passages of different size. For example, a
fitment may have a large through passage in fluid communication
with a large compartment of a pouch and a small through passage in
fluid communication with a small compartment of a pouch.
Alternatively, fitments with through passages of different sizes
may be used to allow fluids of different viscosities to pass
through the fitment at comparable flow rates.
[0082] In an alternative embodiment, the pouch may be prepared, a
fitment inserted and attached, and the pouch subsequently filled.
The "preformed" pouch of this embodiment is prepared generally as
described above, in which flexible packaging film(s) are formed
into a pouch shape and the fitment inserted between the margins of
the film(s) and joined to the film(s), for example by heat sealing.
In this embodiment, portions of the film margins are not sealed
together, providing openings for subsequent filling of the pouch.
For example, the fitment is inserted and joined to the pouch at the
junction of the internal transverse seal and the open end of the
pouch, and the remainder of the open end is left unsealed,
providing openings for filling the two compartments. Pouches
prepared in this embodiment can be collected and transported to a
separate filling operation to be filled with contents. In the
filling operation, the desired amount of the contents of each pouch
compartment is placed into the pouch through its respective
opening, typically by means of metering valves. The openings are
sealed by joining the margins of the film(s) that form the openings
(for example, by heat sealing) to form a top seal.
[0083] Pouch making equipment such as that made by Totani
Corporation, Kyoto, Japan, or Klockner Barlelt Co., Gordonsville,
Va., can be advantageously used practicing this invention.
[0084] A beverage package can comprise (a) a dual-compartment
flexible pouch wherein one of said compartments is in fluid
communication with a through passage of a plastic fitment and the
other of said compartments is in fluid communication with a
different through passage of a plastic fitment; and (b) two
different beverages wherein a first beverage is confined to one of
said compartments and a second beverage is confined to the other of
said compartments.
[0085] The beverages can be any liquid for drinking, such as water,
fruit or vegetable juices or juice drinks, soy-based products,
dairy products, teas, coffees, other flavored drinks and the like,
optionally including additional ingredients such as nutrients,
electrolytes, vitamins, fiber, flavoring agents, coloring agents,
preservatives, antioxidants and the like suitable for human
consumption.
[0086] A package for viscous fluids can comprise (a) a
dual-compartment flexible pouch wherein said dual compartments are
arranged in a contiguous manner and wherein one of said
compartments is in fluid communication with a through passage of a
plastic fitment and the other of said compartments is in fluid
communication with a different through passage of a plastic
fitment; and (b) two different viscous fluids wherein a first fluid
is confined to one of said compartments and a second fluid is
confined to the other of said compartments. Said viscous fluids may
be food items such as puddings, custards, yogurts or condiments.
For example, a package of this invention may contain two
differently flavored puddings such as chocolate and vanilla or two
different condiments such as ketchup and mustard. The viscous
fluids may also be personal care products such as toothpaste,
soaps, lotions, shampoos and the like. For example, a package of
this invention may contain a shampoo and a hair conditioner. Other
fluids that may be packaged in containers of this invention include
fluids such as ointments, creams, medicines and the like. The
viscous fluids may also be fluids that must remain separated until
they are mixed at time of use such as the two components (resin and
hardener) of epoxy glues, etc.
* * * * *