U.S. patent application number 11/857292 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for multi-compartment flexible package.
Invention is credited to Mark Steele.
Application Number | 20090080810 11/857292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29736215 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090080810 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Steele; Mark |
March 26, 2009 |
MULTI-COMPARTMENT FLEXIBLE PACKAGE
Abstract
A flexible package having a main package compartment and a
segregated internal compartment package. The main package generally
includes a plurality of outer panel portions. These panel portions
can include a front panel portion, a back panel portion, and a
bottom panel portion. The formation of these panels into the main
package defines an internal cavity for holding material contents.
The main package includes the segregated internal compartment
package, wherein the compartment package can include at least one
internal panel portion having a transverse edge portion adapted
joined to an inner surface of one of the main package panels, i.e.
the front or back panels, within the internal cavity, and a
longitudinal seal intermediate the edges to define a pair of
compartment cavities distinct from the internal cavity of the main
package. The compartment cavities may be notched at a common corner
and adapted to enable selective tearing transverse to the
longitudinal seal for access to both the inner cavity and the
second compartment cavity.
Inventors: |
Steele; Mark; (LeSueur,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20080002918 A1 |
January 3, 2008 |
|
|
Family ID: |
29736215 |
Appl. No.: |
11/857292 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10456971 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
|
|
|
11857292 |
Sep 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
60386798 |
Jun 6, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 2160/20 20170801;
B65D 33/007 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101; B31B 2155/00 20170801;
B31B 2155/002 20170801; B65D 31/12 20130101; B31B 2160/10 20170801;
B65D 31/02 20130101; B65D 75/5805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/038 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22 |
Claims
1. A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising: a main package
having at least a first panel including an inner first panel
surface, an outer first panel surface, a plurality of first panel
edge portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion; a second panel
including an inner second panel surface, an outer second panel
surface, and a plurality of second panel edge portions joined to
the plurality of first panel edge portions to define an inner
cavity of the main package, wherein the inner second panel surface
and the inner first panel surface are within the inner cavity; at
least one gusseted panel; and an internal compartment panel
including two longitudinal edge portions, and a transverse edge
portion transverse to the two longitudinal edge portions, wherein
the two longitudinal edge portions are joined to the inner surface
of the first panel within the inner cavity and the transverse edge
portion is joined to the inner surface of the first panel
intermediate the top portion and the bottom portion of the first
panel to define a second compartment cavity distinct from the inner
cavity of the main packages wherein the first panel further
includes a longitudinal seal intermediate the edge portions of the
first panel and substantially traversing from the transverse edge
portion to the top portion of the first panel to longitudinally
seal the internal compartment panel to the first panel to define
the second compartment cavity.
2. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, wherein at
least one barrier is disposed between the longitudinal seal and the
second panel to prevent joining of the internal compartment panel
to the inner second panel surface.
3. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, wherein a top
portion of the internal compartment panel distal the transverse
edge portion is joined to the inner surface of the second panel
creating a first top seal.
4. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 3, wherein the
first top seal is a temporary seal providing selective
disengagement of the top portion of the internal compartment panel
from the second panel.
5. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 4, wherein
another top portion of the internal compartment panel distal the
transverse edge portion is joined to the inner surface of the first
panel creating a second top seal.
6. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 5, wherein the
second top seal is a temporary seal providing selective
disengagement of the top portion of the internal compartment panel
from the first panel.
7. A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising: a main package
having at least a front panel including an inner front panel
surface, an outer front panel surface, a plurality of front panel
edge portions, and a top and bottom front portion; a back panel
including an inner back panel surface, an outer back panel surface,
a plurality of back panel edge portions, and a top and bottom back
portion, wherein the back panel is joined to the plurality of front
panel edge portions to define an inner cavity of the main package,
wherein the inner back panel surface and the inner front panel
surface are within the inner cavity; and an internal compartment
panel including two longitudinal edge portions, and a transverse
edge portion transverse to the two longitudinal edge portions,
wherein the two longitudinal edge portions are joined to the inner
surface of the back panel within the inner cavity and the
transverse edge portion is joined to the same inner surface of the
back panel intermediate the top and bottom portion of the back
panel to define a second compartment cavity distinct from the inner
cavity of the main packages wherein the back panel further includes
a longitudinal seal intermediate the edge portions of the back
panel and substantially traversing the longitudinal length of the
back panel portion from the transverse edge portion to
longitudinally seal the internal compartment panel to the back
panel to define the second compartment cavity.
8. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, wherein at
least one barrier is disposed between the longitudinal seal and the
front panel to prevent joining of the internal compartment panel to
the inner surface of the front panel.
9. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, further
including a notch extending a distance into at least a portion of
the longitudinal seal proximate the top portion of the back panel
and adapted to enable selective tearing transverse to the
longitudinal seal for access into both the inner cavity and the
second compartment cavity.
Description
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No.
10/456,971, filed Jun. 6, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/386,798, entitled "MULTI-COMPARTMENT
SEGREGATING FLEXIBLE PACKAGE" filed: Jun. 6, 2002, the disclosures
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/386,798 filed Jun. 6, 2002 and entitled
"MULTI-COMPARTMENT SEGREGATING FLEXIBLE PACKAGE," which is hereby
incorporated in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to flexible
packaging and, more particularly, to flexible packaging having at
least one segregated internal compartment designed for selective
compartmental use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Conventional flexible packaging does not generally include
compartments within the internal cavity of the package. Those
packages that do, merely provide for a positioned wall down a
section of the internal cavity of the main packaging such that a
division is merely created within said internal cavity. Distinct
and selectively usable compartments within the cavity are not
provided for in these conventional package designs.
[0005] For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,201,031, 4,993,844,
5,335,478, and 5,409,116 disclose packages having a divider panel
disposed between the two main panels to create a partition.
However, since the partition panel spans the full longitudinal
distance and is equal in width to the two main panels, the two
compartments are accordingly of equal size. Consequently, such
partitioned package configurations are not ideal for selective
applications and uses where one of the segregated compartments is
not required to be identically volumetrically sized with respect to
the other. Further, such designs are not ideally compatible with
flexible packaging designs employing side or bottom gusset panels.
Since the edges of the partition panel are bonded intermediate the
edges of the main panel portions, allowing the full length gusseted
panels would be rendered unusable as expansion and contraction at
the gusset would be restricted by the intermediately bonded
partition panel.
[0006] Other conventional techniques include creating
multi-compartment packages by heat sealing or otherwise bonding two
parallel panels proximate the middle portion of the panels such
that a divider strip is established. Such designs are demonstrated
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,507, U.S. patent application No.
2002/0067865, and E.P. Patent Publication 594,449A1. The formation
and design of these conventional packages merely creates two
adjacent packaging portions of substantially equal size. Again,
gusseted features are unacceptably limited.
[0007] As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that
substantially solves the above-referenced problems with
conventional package designs, configurations, and manufacturing
methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention solves many of the problems that
plague conventional flexible packages and packaging methods.
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a main
package and a segregated internal compartment package. The main
package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions.
These panel portions can include a front panel portion, a back
panel portion, and a bottom panel portion. In addition, the main
package can include a first side panel portion, and a second side
panel portion. The formation of these panels into the main package
defines an internal cavity for holding material contents. Any of
the panels can be gusseted with the processes and techniques known
to one skilled in the art. The main package includes the segregated
internal compartment package, wherein the compartment package can
include at least one internal panel portion having a transverse
bottom edge portion joined to an inner surface of one of the main
package panels within the internal cavity to define a second
compartment cavity distinct from the internal cavity of the main
package. Further, the present invention can include at least two
separate openings into the package to enable selectively separate
access into the internal cavity of the main package and the second
compartment cavity of the segregated internal compartment
package.
[0009] In one embodiment, the internal compartment is some size
generally smaller than the vertical or longitudinal length of the
front and back panels, of varying available width. The internal
panel portion can be of a polyethylene, or like plastic or plastic
laminate, and is uniquely sealed within the inner cavity at an
inner surface of the front or back panels, within the inner cavity.
While the outside of the package may look much like any stand up
flexible package, there are nonetheless dual top accesses that can
be created by a vertical/longitudinal seal of the internal panel
portion to clearly identify the two separate cavities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-compartment package in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side section view of a multi-compartment package
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having side panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a multi-compartment package having
a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3a is a front view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side section view of the multi-compartment
package of FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of the multi-compartment package of
FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 5a is a top view of the multi-compartment package of
FIG. 3a.
[0019] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal and side panels in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5c is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5d is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5e is a front view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal and notch in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of a multi-compartment package having
a temporary seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side section view of the multi-compartment
package of FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of feeding and aligning stations and
methods used in forming multi-compartment packages in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a top view of sealing, cooling, and cutting
stations and methods used in forming multi-compartment packages in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a flexible package 10 in accordance
with the present invention, and the manufacturing steps for forming
said flexible package 10, are shown. The package 10 generally
includes a main package 12 and a segregated internal compartment
package 14. The main package 12 generally includes a front panel
portion 16, a back panel portion 18, and a bottom panel portion 20.
Further, a top panel portion 21 and/or at least one side panel
portion 22 can be included in various embodiments, as demonstrated
with side panels 22 in FIGS. 2b and 5b. Panel portions 16-20 can be
joined to form or define an inner cavity 26 of the main package 10
for holding, transporting, or otherwise containing material
contents. At least one of the front 16 or back 18 panel portions
includes a main sealant surface 27 for bondable joining with
selectively positioned portions of the internal compartment package
14. The front panel portion 16 can include front longitudinal edges
17a, 17b and the back panel portion 18 can include back
longitudinal edges 19. The cross-hatching in the figures can be
utilized to generally denote the seal lines which are further
described herein.
[0028] The segregated internal compartment package 14 generally
includes at least one internal compartment panel portion 24,
wherein the compartment panel portion 24 is peripherally joined to
the inner surface of at least one of the main package 10 panel
portions to create a second compartment cavity 28. The at least one
internal compartment panel 24 includes an internal panel sealant
surface 30, longitudinal compartment panel edges 32a, 32b and
transverse compartment panel edges 34.
[0029] The package portions 12-22 are generally constructed of
flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal
foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes laminated with other
materials such as nylon, polyester, and like films. To provide for
higher barriers, embodiments can use combination layers of said
materials and material of the like. Generally, the confronting or
joinable materials of the main package 12 and the internal
compartment package 14 must have acceptable sealing characteristics
for bonding to the respective target material. For instance, the
sealant surface 30 of the internal panel 24 is constructed of a
plastic web of polyethylene, or a material with like
characteristics and heat bonding qualities for joining to the
target main sealant surface 27 of one of the main package panels,
such as the front 16 or back 18 panel portions. One skilled in the
art will understand that a myriad of materials and material
laminates are available for selective use for the main sealant
surface 27 and the internal sealant surface 30 to facilitate the
bonding attachment described herein. In one embodiment, at least
one of the sealant surfaces 27, 30 will comprise "contaminants"
that permit a varying level of bonding, wherein the level of
bondable attachment is dependent on the heat applied from a
corresponding heat sealing bar or other device. Higher temperatures
will create "destructive", i.e., permanent, bonds while lower
temperatures will create a more temporary bond for selective
disengagement. Such bonding techniques can be applied at any
sealable surface or region of the main package 12 or the internal
compartment package 14 to create the desired level of bonding.
[0030] Preferably, the package of the present invention is to be
formed into a stand-up pouch, but it could be a three-side-seal
pouch, a pouch that displays lying down, or other known pouch or
packaging designs and configurations. The internal panel or web 20
can be of the same width and height as the back and/or front
panels, or it can be some size smaller, depending on the
compartmental needs of the manufacturer or end user. Regardless,
and unlike conventional techniques, the transverse compartment
panel edge 24 of the internal panel 24 will not be bound to both
the front and back panel portions. Instead, the edges 32 of the
internal compartment panel 24 will be bonded intermediate the front
16 and back panels 18 and the transverse edge 34 will be bonded to
only one of the front 16 or back 18 panels some distance
intermediate the bottom and top edges of said one of the front 16
and back 18 panels. In embodiments including the at least one side
panel 22, the longitudinal edges 32a, 32b will also be bonded to
the same one of the front 16 or back 18 panels at respective edges
17, 19. Bonding descriptions of the internal compartment panel 24
to various panel designations herein will generally require
particular panel portion descriptions for ease of explanation,
i.e., panels 16 and 18, but it must be noted that each of the panel
portions 16, 18 are interchangeably capable of providing the inner
target surface for the internal panel 24 attachment, and the
transverse edge 34 in particular. For instance, specific
embodiments will require attachment or bonding of the internal
panel 24 to the inner surface 27 of the back panel 18 where the
outside surface of the front panel 16 includes graphical indicia.
Attachment of the internal panel 24 to the back panel 18 will
protect the indicia on the front panel 16 as specific sealing
processes may require sealing bars to contact the outside of the
package to bond the internal panel 24 in place.
[0031] In FIGS. 1-2a, one embodiment of the package 10 of the
present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the internal
compartment package 14 is defined by bonding the internal sealant
surface 30 at the transverse edge 34 of the at least one internal
compartment panel portion 24 to the main sealant surface 27 of the
front panel 16, with the back panel 18 being free from bonding
contact with the transverse edge 34. Again, the orientation of the
panels 16, 18 in relation to the attachment of the internal panel
portion 24 is merely for demonstrative purposes and can be
interchangeable. Further, the bottom panel 20, or the bottom panel
portion 20 defined by joining the ends of the front 16 and back
panel 18 portions, is gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel
portion 20g. For ease of explanation and differentiation, gusseted
panels are denoted herein with a subscript "g" character. As best
demonstrated in FIGS. 1 and 2a, the internal panel portion 24 spans
substantially the full width of the front panel 16 but is closeably
sealed some distances short of the complete longitudinal length of
the front panel 16. In this embodiment, the longitudinal edges 32a,
32b of the internal panel portion 24 are substantially and
correspondingly matched and bonded to the longitudinal edges 17a,
17b of the front panel 16 and the bottom transverse compartment
panel edge 34 of the internal panel portion 24 is bonded across the
front panel 16 some distance above the bottom panel portion
20.sub.g. As such, the transverse edge 34 of the internal panel 24
is attached at a transverse seal 36, transverse to the longitudinal
edges 17a, 17b of the front panel portion 16 and the longitudinal
edges 32a, 32b of the internal panel 24 itself. To prevent the
internal panel 24, and the transverse edge 34 in particular, from
sealing to the back panel 18 during formation and sealing at the
transverse seal 36, a barrier material 40 such as Teflon, Teflon
coated materials, or materials of like heat barrier qualities and
characteristics can be selectively disposed between the back panel
18 and the internal panel 24 proximate the line of the transverse
edge 34. During formation of the package 10, the longitudinal edges
32a, 32b of the internal panel 24 are bonded intermediate the edge
portions 17-19 of the front 16 and back panel 18. The described
attachment of the internal panel portion 24 creates the compartment
cavity 28, wherein the capacity or volumetric limitations of the
compartment cavity 28 are measurably smaller than that of the inner
cavity 26 of the main package 10.
[0032] In FIGS. 3-5e, another embodiment of the package 10 of the
present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the internal
compartment package 14 is also defined by bonding the internal
sealant surface 30 at the transverse edge 34 of the at least one
internal compartment panel portion 24 to the main sealant surface
27 of the front panel 16, with the back panel 18 being free from
bonding contact with the transverse edge 34 of the internal panel
24. Further, the bottom panel 20, or the bottom panel portion 20
defined by joining the ends of the front 16 and back panel 18
portions, is gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel portion
20g. As best demonstrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a, the internal panel
portion 24 substantially spans the entire width of the front panel
16 and is closeably sealed some distance short of the complete
longitudinal length of the front panel 16 at the transverse edge 34
and seal 36. However, while the longitudinal edges 17a, 17b of the
front panel 16 are bonded with the longitudinal edges 32a, 32b of
the internal panel 24, respectively, an intermediate longitudinal
seal 38 is provided at some location intermediate the edges 32a,
32b, as demonstrated in FIGS. 3-3a, and 5b-5d. The bonding at the
longitudinal seal 38 traverses from the top of the package 10 down
to the transverse edge 34 and seal 36. As such, this creation of
the longitudinal seal 38 between or intermediate the longitudinal
edges 17a, 17b, 32a, 32b creates an internal compartment 14
measurably smaller in width than the overall width of the front
panel 16 and the main package 10.
[0033] While the transverse seal 36 can create a continuous bond
between the front 16 panel and the internal panel 24 along the
transverse edge 34, attachment of the back panel 18 to the
transverse edge 34 and seal 36 is preferably avoided to maintain
the capacity and configuration of the inner cavity 26. Since seal
bars and other bonding mechanisms and techniques known to one
skilled in the art are easily utilized and often implement a seal
bar across the entire width of the package 10 at the line defined
by the transverse edge 34, it may be necessary to include a
material barrier 40 protection along the line of the transverse
edge 34 extending from the longitudinal seal 38 to the longitudinal
edges 17b, 32b. Like the previous embodiment, a barrier material 40
such as Teflon, Teflon coated materials, or materials of like heat
barrier qualities and characteristics can be selectively disposed
between the back panel 18 and the front panel 16 along the width of
the panels. This barrier 40 will prevent bonding of the back panel
18 to the transverse edge 34 along the seal 36 between the edges
17a, 32a and the edges 17b, 32b, thus also providing a barrier
along the seal 36 between the longitudinal seal 28 and the edges
17b, 32b. At the same time, a bond is created between the front 16
panel and the internal panel 24 along the length of the transverse
seal 36. Various applications of such a barrier material to a
selected portion of a package panel known to one skilled in the art
can be employed without deviating from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. The described attachment of the internal panel
portion 24 creates the compartment cavity 28, wherein the capacity
or volumetric limitations of the compartment cavity 28 are
measurably smaller than that of the inner cavity 26 of the main
package 10. The boundaries of the compartment 14 and compartment
cavity 28 are generally defined in this embodiment by the u-shaped
sealed continuity of the longitudinal edge 32a, the transverse edge
34, and the longitudinal seal 38.
[0034] With such an embodiment, it may be necessary to additionally
bond at least a portion of the top region of the internal panel 24
to the top portion of the front panel 16, distal the transverse
seal 36, as shown in FIGS. 5-5a, and 5d. In FIG. 5, this top
portion of the internal panel 24 is sealed to the top portion of
the front panel 16 only from the longitudinal seal 38 to the
longitudinal edges 17b, 32b. Accordingly, the openings into the
internal compartment cavity 28 and the main inner cavity 26 are
distinctly defined. In FIGS. 5a and 5d, the top portion of the
internal panel 24 confronting the top portion of the back panel 18
is sealed between the longitudinal edges 17a, 32a and the
longitudinal seal 38, and the top portion of the internal panel 24
confronting the top portion of the front panel 16 is still sealed
to the top portion of the front panel 16 from the longitudinal seal
38 to the longitudinal edges 17b, 32b. Each of the seals defined
herein and shown in FIGS. 5-5a, and 5d can be temporary or
permanent and can be created using materials, techniques, and
methods known to one skilled in the art. These embodiments create
more defined and distinct openings into the compartment cavity 28
and the inner cavity 26 such that filling of each of said cavities
26, 28 with material and/or fluid contents is easily accomplished
by various packagers using known filling techniques and machines.
Upon filling of either or both of the cavities 26, 28, the top
portions of the front 16 and back 18 panels can be sealed
together.
[0035] Various embodiments of the present invention can include a
temporary seal 42 bond along any of the edges or seals of the
internal panel 24. Preferably, the temporary seal 42 is provided
along the transverse edge 34 of the internal panel 24 to create at
least a portion of the transverse seal 36, as shown in FIGS. 6-7.
In one embodiment of the temporary seal 42, an adhesive, tape, or
other selectively engageable material or substance comprises at
least a portion of the transverse seal 36 such that when it is
closeably engaged to temporarily bond the transverse edge 34 of the
internal panel 24 to the inner surface of one panel of the main
package 10, i.e., the sealant surface 27 of the front panel 16, the
compartment cavity 28 is segregated from the inner cavity 26.
However, when the temporary seal 42 is opened or disengaged, the
compartment cavity 28 is brought into fluid communication with the
inner cavity 26. Such temporary seal embodiments can be utilized to
isolate material contents of the two cavities 26, 28 until such
time as it is needed and/or desirable. Medical materials and
contents, food, liquids, solids, and a myriad of other materials
and substances can be segregated for a desired period of time or
use and then selectively brought into communication with such an
embodiment. Further, communication between the cavities 26, 28 can
be closed by engaging or actuating the temporary seal 42 to again
provide desired segregation in those embodiments using adhesives,
tapes, and the like.
[0036] In one embodiment, the temporary seal 42 will include a
compatible tape material such that the temporary bond is broken
upon sufficient pressure by the end user on the internal
compartment 14 and/or main package 10 structures. In another
embodiment, the temporary seal 42 is created by heat sealing the
transverse edge 34 of the internal panel 24 to the front 16 or back
panel 18 portions in such a manner as to not create a permanent
bond. As described herein, this temporary seal 42 generated from a
heat sealing technique can comprise selectively utilizing materials
with known contaminant characteristics such that a relatively low
heat application along the seal 42 provides temporary sealing and
avoids a destructive or permanent seal. Various selective and
temporary bonding techniques known to one skilled in the art can be
employed to implement and create the temporary seal 42 without
deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the temporary seal 42 techniques and methods can be
included along the longitudinal seal 38 rather than the transverse
edge 34 in those packages 10 implementing the compartment package
14 of FIGS. 3-5d.
[0037] Various embodiments can further include a notch 44, as shown
in FIG. 5e. This notch 44 is preferably located proximate the
longitudinal seal 38 at the top of the package 10 and traverses
down into at least the internal panel 24 and one of the front 16 or
back 18 panels. A slit can be further provided transversely running
into the notch 44 to facilitate selective tearing. This notch 44
permits the end user or packager to selectively open one or both of
the compartments 12, 14 to gain access into the corresponding
cavities 26, 28. Distinct access is thus permitted. For instance, a
user can rip the notch 44 across to edges 17a, 32a to access the
internal compartment 12, while ripping the notch 44 the opposite
direction toward edges 17b, 32b will provide access into the main
package compartment 12.
[0038] Each of the embodiments of the present invention can further
include a tab or lip portion 39 at the top end portion of the
internal panel 24 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7. The lip portion 39
generally extends some distance outside of the opened package 10
after formation to provide yet another means of facilitating the
filling of the inner cavity 26 and/or the compartment cavity 28
with contents. By providing the lip 39, a filling machine, such as
a pouch machine, a form-fill-seal machine, a premade pouch filling
machine or other like machines known to one skilled in the art can
easily push back the internal panel 24 toward a panel (i.e., the
back panel 18) of the package 12 opposite the panel having the
sealing surface 27 (i.e., the front panel 16). In those packages
and embodiments of the present invention attaching the internal
panel 24 to the front panel 16, this pushes the internal panel 24
towards the back panel 18 to more clearly define and separate the
opening of the inner cavity 26 and the compartment cavity 28 such
that contents designated for one cavity will not accidentally enter
the other cavity.
[0039] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2b and 5b, the transverse edge
34 of the internal panel 24 is similarly bonded to only one of the
front 16 or back 18 panels. In addition, the inclusion of the at
least one side panel 22 makes it possible to only bond the edges
32a, 32b of the internal panel 24 to the same of the front 16 or
back 18 panels. For instance, the edges 19 of the back panel 18 are
free from bondable sealing with the edges 17 of the front panel 16
and the edges 32a, 32b of the internal panel 24. Instead, the edges
32a are bonded to edges 17a and edges 32b are bonded to edges 17b.
As with the other embodiments, the longitudinal seal 38 can be
included, as shown in FIG. 5b. To prevent the edges 32a, 32b from
bonding to the back panel 18, the barrier 40 and the various
barrier techniques described herein can be employed at any of the
sealing regions. With such an embodiment having a side panel 22,
expansion of the bottom panel 10, or gusseted bottom panel 20g, and
expansion of the side panel 22, or side panel 22g, is not
substantially hindered by the bonded internal panel 24 or its
sealed portions.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, the manufacturing process generally
includes placing the internal panel portion 24 between the front 16
and back 18 panel portions such that the segregated
multi-compartment package 10 of the present invention is formed.
This formation process generally comprises a roller feed station
50, a gusseting/folding station 52, an alignment station 54, a
first seal station 56, and a side seal station 58. The formation
process can further include a cooling station 60 and a cut-off
station 62. Each of the base steps in forming the package 10 of the
present invention can be performed by known pouch machines,
form-fill-seal machines, and like machines known to one skilled in
the art for forming pouches and/or forming and filling pouches in
the confines of the same manufacturing process.
[0041] During formation of the package, the internal panel 24 is
fed between the front 16 and back 18 panel portions such that the
internal panel 24 extends from the top of the pouch down a distance
short of where the folded gusset bottom 20.sub.g starts, depending
on the length of longitudinal edges 32a, 32b. As shown in FIG. 8,
at the roller feed station 50, a front panel web roll 64, a back
panel web roll 66, an internal panel web roll 68, and a bottom
panel web roll 70 are each individually positioned and fed along a
general web direction using rollers, brackets, guides, and other
techniques and mechanism known to one skilled in the art for
forming flexible packages. The sealant surface 27 of the front
panel web roll 64 is facing inward toward the alignable internal
web 68 and the internal panel sealant surface 30 of the internal
panel web roll 68 is likewise facing out toward the alignable front
panel web roll 64. Prior to final alignment of the webs 64-70
before bondable sealing, the bottom web 70 can be gusseted at the
gusseting station 52 using known techniques, mechanisms and methods
known to one skilled in the art. For instance, a v-bracket can be
inserted along an intermediate portion of the bottom web 70 as it
is being fed through the process such that a gusset fold forms web
70.sub.g to define what will be bottom panel 20.sub.g for each of
the packages 10.
[0042] Referring primarily to FIG. 9, the aligned webs 64, 66, 68,
and 70.sub.g are positioned or laid upon each other and fed into
the first seal station 56. At this station, seals running along the
line of the web direction but transverse to the orientation of the
final package 10 can be employed. Specifically, a first seal bar 72
can contact the outer surface of a panel, such as a portion of the
front panel web 64 (or the back panel web 66) to create the
transverse seal 36, and/or the temporary seal 42 to bondably attach
the transverse edge 34 of the internal web 68. Further, a second
seal bar 74 can contact the outer surface of the front panel web 65
(or the back panel web 66) to fully seal the bottom gusseted panel
web 70.sub.g to the front web 65 and/or the back web 66. Following
these seals at the first seal station 56, the now partially-sealed
webs 64, 66, 68, and 70.sub.g continue along the web direction to
the side seal station 58. The side seal station 58 can include at
least one side seal bar 76, and preferably two side seal bars 76,
positioned and designed to contact the outer portion of the webs to
intermediately seal the longitudinal edges 32 of the internal panel
web 68 to the respective confronting edges 17, 19 of the front 64
and back 66 panel webs. A seal bar can be implemented at this stage
to selectively seal along the package to form the longitudinal seal
38 described herein. As previously indicated, pieces or strips of
Teflon, or similar materials having beneficial heat resistant
qualities have been placed at the designated target regions
described herein so that unwanted bonding of particular panel
portions is avoided. Following the sealing at the side seal station
58, the boundaries and seals for the internal compartment package
14 and the main package 12 are defined for each contiguous package
10 passing along the web path of the machine.
[0043] As the now forming package 10 leaves the side seal station
58 along the web path of the machine, each package 10 can enter a
cooling station 60. The cooling station 60 can include at least one
cooling bar 78 which is applied along the various seals, i.e., the
seals created at the side seal station 58, to lower the web
material temperature to further promote and stabilize the bonds
created. Once the cooling bars 78 have performed the cooling
functions required upon application, each package 10, still
contiguously linked, can be separated to define the distinct
package 10 at the cut-off station 62. The cut-off station 62 can
include a cutting device 80 such as a blade or other known
mechanism that can trim the edges of the package 10 and cut the end
package 10 from the adjacently joined package 10. Other trimming
devices and mechanisms can further be employed to trim the various
edges of the package 10.
[0044] With this manufactured package product, a compartmentalized
package is created such that there is no mingling or intrusion of
the contents of the distinct compartments 12, 14 and corresponding
cavities 26, 28. In addition, the transverse edge 34 of the
internal panel 24 is bonded only to one of the selected target
panels 16, 18. This leaves the remaining panel not targeted for
receiving the internal panel 24 free for movement. For instance, a
bottom panel 20.sub.g and/or a side panel 22.sub.g are free to
expand or contract contingent upon the insertion or removal of
contents within the inner cavity 16, thus not detrimentally
affecting the functionality of the package 10 or the capacity or
functionality of the compartment cavity 28. Each cavity 26, 28 and
package portion 12, 14 is substantially independent from the other.
Various handles, graphics, closeable and re-closeable devices,
gusseted portions, and like features known to one skilled in the
art are also envisioned for use with this invention and can be
implemented without deviating from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. All references to front, back, bottom, and the
like are merely for demonstrative purposes and are not intended to
limit the variations and positional references and orientations of
the panels in the present invention. The present invention may be
embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit
or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that
the present embodiment be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive. Similarly, the above-described
methods and techniques for manufacturing the present invention are
illustrative sequential processes and are not intended to limit the
methods of manufacturing the present invention to those
specifically defined herein. It is envisioned that various depicted
steps can be performed in differing substantive and sequential
order. In addition, various unspecified steps and procedures can be
performed in between those steps described herein without deviating
from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the method
of manufacturing the sam
* * * * *