U.S. patent application number 12/417877 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for multi-compartment flexible package.
Invention is credited to Mark Steele.
Application Number | 20090238499 12/417877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41089021 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090238499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steele; Mark |
September 24, 2009 |
MULTI-COMPARTMENT FLEXIBLE PACKAGE
Abstract
A flexible package is provided having a main package compartment
and a segregated internal or secondary compartment. The main
package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. An
internal compartment panel can include a transverse portion
operatively joined to one of the main package panel portions to
define the secondary compartment. Further, the secondary
compartment can include a plurality of passageways providing fluid
communication between the secondary compartment and the main
package compartment.
Inventors: |
Steele; Mark; (New Prague,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ulbrich I.P., Ltd
7234 W. Timber Ln.
Maple Grove
MN
55369
US
|
Family ID: |
41089021 |
Appl. No.: |
12/417877 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11857292 |
Sep 18, 2007 |
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12417877 |
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10456971 |
Jun 6, 2003 |
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11857292 |
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60386798 |
Jun 6, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/200 ;
383/120; 383/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 2155/002 20170801;
B31B 2160/20 20170801; B31B 2155/00 20170801; B65D 81/3261
20130101; B65D 31/12 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/200 ; 383/40;
383/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00; B65D 30/22 20060101 B65D030/22; B65D 30/20 20060101
B65D030/20 |
Claims
1. A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising: a main package
portion having at least; a first panel including an inner first
panel surface; and a second panel including an inner second panel
surface, with at least the first panel and second panel operatively
connected to define a main package compartment; an internal
compartment panel including a generally transverse bottom portion
operatively joined to the inner surface of the first panel to
define a secondary compartment generally distinct from the main
package compartment, the transverse bottom portion including a
plurality of passageways providing fluid communication between the
secondary compartment and the main package compartment.
2. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, further
including an access device to provide access into at least one of
the secondary and main package compartments through an access
opening.
3. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, wherein the
internal compartment panel includes at least one intermediate
longitudinal seal portion operatively joined to the inner surface
of the first panel.
4. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, wherein the
secondary compartment is adapted to contain at least partially
frozen contents.
5. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, wherein the
secondary compartment is adapted to contain contents selected from
a group consisting of: frozen substances, semi-frozen substances,
solid substances and gelatinous substances.
6. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 1, further
including a gusseted bottom panel portion.
7. A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising: a first panel
including an inner first panel surface; a second panel including an
inner second panel surface, with at least the first panel and
second panel operatively connected to define a main package
compartment; and an internal compartment panel including a
transverse bottom portion operatively joined to the inner surface
of the first panel to define a secondary internal compartment
generally distinct from the main package compartment, the
transverse bottom portion including a plurality of spaced seal
segments and a plurality of spaced unsealed openings to provide
fluid communication between the secondary internal compartment and
the main package compartment.
8. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, further
including an access device to provide access into at least one of
the secondary and main package compartments through an access
opening.
9. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 8, wherein the
access device is a re-closeable access device.
10. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, further
including a tear portion provided to facilitate access into at
least one of the main and secondary compartments.
11. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, wherein the
internal compartment panel includes at least one intermediate
longitudinal seal portion operatively joined to the inner surface
of the first panel such that the secondary compartment defines at
least two distinct compartments.
12. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, wherein the
secondary compartment is adapted to contain at least partially
frozen contents.
13. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, wherein the
secondary compartment is adapted to contain contents selected from
a group consisting of: frozen substances, semi-frozen substances,
solid substances and gelatinous substances.
14. The multi-compartment flexible package of claim 7, further
including a gusseted bottom panel portion.
15. A multi-compartment package, comprising: a first outer panel
including an inner first panel surface; and a second outer panel
including an inner second panel surface; an internal compartment
panel operatively provided between the first and second panels to
define a main package compartment and a secondary internal
compartment; and an inter-compartment passageway portion including
a plurality of land segments and a plurality of openings providing
fluid communication between the secondary internal compartment and
the main package compartment.
16. The multi-compartment package of claim 15, wherein the
plurality of land segments are spaced seal segments defined by the
joining of portions of a transverse bottom portion of the internal
compartment panel to a portion of the inner first panel
surface.
17. The multi-compartment package of claim 16, wherein the
transverse bottom portion of the internal compartment panel is
joined to the inner first panel surface a distance above a bottom
portion of the first outer panel.
18. The multi-compartment package of claim 15, wherein the
secondary internal compartment is adapted to contain at least
partially frozen contents.
19. The multi-compartment package of claim 15, further including a
gusseted bottom panel portion.
20. The multi-compartment package of claim 15, wherein the internal
compartment panel includes at least one intermediate longitudinal
seal portion operatively joined to the inner first panel surface.
Description
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/857,292, filed Sep. 18, 2007, which in
turn is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/456,971, filed Jun. 6, 2003 and now abandoned, which in turn
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/386,798,
filed Jun. 6, 2002; wherein each of the above-referenced
applications and disclosures are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to flexible
packaging and, more particularly, to flexible packaging having at
least one segregated internal compartment capable of fluid
communication with a main package compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional flexible packaging does not generally include
compartments within the internal cavity of the package. Typically,
a wall is simply positioned down a section of the internal cavity
of the main packaging such that a division is merely created for
the internal cavity. Distinct and selectively usable compartments
within the cavity are not provided for in these conventional
package designs. More specifically, conventional packaging lacks
selectively usable and distinct compartments capable of fluid
communication with each other.
[0004] 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
[0005] 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 a main internal compartment or 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 compartment package
can include at least one internal compartment panel portion
disposed between the main panel portions (e.g., back and front) to
define a separate internal secondary compartment.
[0006] In one embodiment, the secondary internal compartment is
some size generally smaller than the vertical or longitudinal
length of the front and back panels, of varying available width.
Further, the internal compartment panel can include a plurality of
defined passageways providing distinct channels of fluid
communication between the secondary internal compartment and the
main internal compartment.
[0007] The secondary internal compartment having such passageways
can be of varying sizes and shapes, and can be formed or sealed to
define a plurality of internal compartments in communication with
the main package compartment. Such an internal compartment can be
utilized to hold or contain sauces, condiments, frozen contents,
gelatinous contents, or like contents or substances, thus
permitting selective communication of the contents within the
internal compartment with the space or contents of the main package
compartment through the passageways. The passageways can be of
varying sizes, shapes, designs, configurations and can vary greatly
in number depending on the particular needs of the manufacturer and
end users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a multi-compartment package in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side section schematic view of a
multi-compartment package in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having side panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a multi-compartment package having
a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3a is a front view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side section schematic view of the
multi-compartment package of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the multi-compartment package of
FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5a is a top view of the multi-compartment package of
FIG. 3a.
[0017] 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.
[0018] FIG. 5c is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5d is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package
having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] 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.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front view of a multi-compartment package having
a temporary seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side section schematic view of the
multi-compartment package of FIG. 6.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an opened or unsealed
multi-compartment package with an inter-compartment passageway
portion and seal area in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the multi-compartment package of
FIG. 10.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a front view of a multi-compartment package with
an inter-compartment passageway portion and seal area in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side section schematic view of the
multi-compartment package of FIG. 11 with an inter-compartment
passageway and seal area in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a close-up view of a portion of the
inter-compartment passageway portion of FIG. 12 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an opened or unsealed
multi-compartment package with an inter-compartment passageway
portion and seal area, and multiple secondary compartments, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims. For illustrative purposes,
hatching or shading in the figures is generally provided to
demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated devices for the
package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-15, 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 compartment 12 and a segregated
internal compartment or package 14. The main package 12 generally
includes a front panel portion 16, a back panel portion 18, and a
bottom panel portion 20. The panels can be formed of one or more
film webs or separately joined to define the various structures of
the package 10.
[0033] 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 operatively joined, connected, or formed (e.g.,
directly or indirectly sealed, or folded from one or more film
materials) to 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.
[0034] 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 a
transverse compartment panel edge or portion 34.
[0035] 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", e.g., 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.
[0036] 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 34 of the internal panel 24 will generally not be bound
to the main body of 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, generally 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, e.g., 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.
[0037] 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 or panel portion 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 .sup.20g. For ease of explanation and
differentiation, gusseted panels may be denoted herein with a
subscript "g" character. As best demonstrated in FIG. 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.TM. (Polytetrafluoroethylene),
Teflon.TM. 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 capacity of the compartment cavity 28 is measurably
smaller than that of the inner cavity 26 of the main package
10.
[0038] 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
20.sub.g. 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.
[0039] 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.TM., Teflon.TM. 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 38 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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 (e.g., the
back panel 18) of the package 12 opposite the panel having the
sealing surface 27 (e.g., 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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 .sup.20g 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.
[0048] 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.TM., 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.
[0049] 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, e.g., 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.
[0050] 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 generally 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.
[0051] Referring generally to FIGS. 10-15, an embodiment is
depicted having a plurality of inter-compartment passageways. In
such an embodiment, the main package compartment or package cavity
26 and internal/secondary compartment or cavity 28 are again
distinct or separate compartments within the package 10. Likewise,
the general formation and structure of the package 10 of such an
embodiment can include the various steps, configurations and
designs depicted or described herein.
[0052] In this passageway embodiment, the internal compartment
package 14 can be defined by bonding or otherwise operatively
joining (e.g., directly or indirectly) the transverse edge 34 of
the at least one internal compartment panel portion 24 to the main
sealant surface 27 of one of the front 16 or back 18 panels, with
the other of the panels 16, 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 or portion 20 defined by joining or
forming the ends of the front 16 and back panel 18 portions, can be
gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel portion 20.sub.g.
[0053] As best demonstrated in FIGS. 11-12, the internal panel
portion 24 can span substantially the full width of the front or
back panels 16, 18 but is generally closeably sealed some distances
short of the complete longitudinal length of the panels. As such,
the longitudinal edges 32a, 32b of the internal panel portion 24
are substantially and correspondingly matched and joined to the
longitudinal edges 19 and the bottom transverse compartment panel
edge 34 of the internal panel portion 24 is operatively across the
front or back panels 16, 18 (e.g., back panel 18 in FIGS. 10,
12-13) some distance above the bottom panel portion 20.sub.g to
form a passageway portion 100. The corresponding seal can be a
"destruct" or permanents seal, or a more temporary seal, such as a
peel seal application.
[0054] The passageway portion 100 provides fluid communication
between the secondary compartment 28 and the main package
compartment 26. For example, in one embodiment, the passageway
portion 100 can include a plurality of seal segments or lands 102
spaced or otherwise provided to define a plurality of passageways
or channels 104. A seal bar or other known device or process can be
employed to seal the spaced land portions 102 to the inner sealant
surface of the back panel 18, while leaving the channels or
openings 104 generally free of such bonding. The seal bar can
include defined and extending segments to achieve the limited or
selective contact surfaces for sealing the edge 34 to create the
desired spaced lands 102. This selective sealing of the transverse
edge 34 along the inner surface of one of the main package panels
can occur along any distance between the bottom and top portions of
the panels 16, 18. In addition, like other package configurations
detailed herein, the passageway embodiment of the current invention
can also include side panel portions, gusseted or non-gusseted.
Further, the formation of the lands 102 and channels 104 can be
accomplished by any means of bonding, sealing or forming package
portions known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The shape,
size, and spacing of the lands 102 and channels 104 can vary
greatly according to content and package formation needs.
[0055] Like other embodiments described or depicted herein, an
intermediate longitudinal seal 38 can be provided at some location
intermediate the edges 32a, 32b. The bonding at the longitudinal
seal 38 traverses from the top of the package 10 down to the
transverse edge 34. As such, this creation of the longitudinal seal
38 between or intermediate the longitudinal edges of the package
creates an internal compartment 28 divided into two or more
compartments 28a, 28b, as demonstrated in FIG. 15. The multiple
secondary compartments 28a, 28b are shown in FIG. 15 opened or
otherwise not sealed closed at the top of the package, but could be
sealed along the top of the package, e.g., to the top of the back
panel 18. The longitudinal seal 38 can be a temporary seal, such as
a peel seal, or a destructive or permanent seal. As such, the
contents of the two or more compartments within internal
compartment 28 can be brought into selective communication with the
other of the compartment 28, or the main compartment 26. This can
be accomplished by manual force or pressure, cooking or heating, or
a myriad of other techniques. Further, the transverse edge 34 can
include the passageway portion 100 across its entire length, or
just across a limited length or width of the package with the
remainder of the edge beyond seal 38 being free of passageways.
[0056] To prevent the internal panel 24, and the transverse edge 34
in particular, from sealing to one or more of the panels (e.g.,
front and/or back) during formation and sealing, a barrier material
40 such as Teflon.TM., Teflon.TM. coated materials, or materials of
like heat barrier qualities and characteristics can be selectively
disposed between the panels 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 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 secondary compartment 28 can be measurably
smaller than that of the inner cavity 26 of the main package
10.
[0057] In use, the secondary compartment 28 can be filled with
material contents capable of selective communication with the main
package compartment 26. For instance, frozen, semi-frozen,
gelatinous, granular, solid, and other like material contents 11
can occupy the secondary compartment 28 such that they do not
readily traverse the channels 104 of the passageway portion 100
until desired. However, traversal can be initiated by heating and
transforming the structure of the contents, squeezing or otherwise
forcing the contents through the channels 104, or via a myriad of
other techniques or methods. For example, the secondary compartment
28 could include a frozen fluid, such as a sauce, that melts upon
the application of heat, which in turn causes the fluid to flow
through the channels 104 and into the main compartment 26 where
compatible contents, such as pasta or rice, are present. This
allows for the contents 11 of the secondary compartment 28 to
remain distinct and separate from the contents of the main
compartment 26 until a time when inter-compartmental communication
is desired. The selection of contents 11 that can be included in
compartments 26, 28 is nearly limitless and the examples provided
herein are for demonstrative purposes only.
[0058] Various handles, graphics, closeable and re-closeable access
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. In addition, various passageway embodiments of
the present invention can further include one or more notch or tear
portions located proximate a longitudinal edge or top portion of
the package 10 adapted for access through an opening. These notch
portions permit 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.
[0059] 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
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