U.S. patent application number 12/247775 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for dual pack.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE DANNON COMPANY, INC. Invention is credited to Jean-Yves Latour.
Application Number | 20100086239 12/247775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42075887 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100086239 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Latour; Jean-Yves |
April 8, 2010 |
DUAL PACK
Abstract
A side-by-side or dual pouch comprising a pair of parallel
longitudinal compartments each compartment including sealed top,
bottom and medial margins with the medial margins in sealed
abutment and providing a sealed longitudinal strip separating the
compartments. Each compartment may contain different components,
such as different types of food products. A tear-promoting element
appears at the outer top corner of each compartment to facilitate
separate opening of each compartment and controlled dispensing of
the contents.
Inventors: |
Latour; Jean-Yves; (White
Plains, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT, L.L.P.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
THE DANNON COMPANY, INC
White Plains
NY
|
Family ID: |
42075887 |
Appl. No.: |
12/247775 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 31/12 20130101;
B65D 75/5822 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/38 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/22 20060101
B65D030/22 |
Claims
1. A pouch comprising: a pair of parallel longitudinal
compartments; each compartment including sealed top, bottom and
medial margins with the medial margins in sealed abutment and
providing a sealed longitudinal strip separating the compartments;
and each compartment having an external top corner including a
tear-promoting element.
2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein sealed bottom margin of one
compartment is longer than that of the other compartment.
3. The pouch of claim 2, wherein one compartment has 50-99% of the
volume of the other compartment.
4. The pouch of claim 2, wherein one compartment has less than 50%
of the volume of the other compartment.
5. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the sealed bottom margins of the
compartments have the same length and the same width, thus
providing compartments having the same volume.
6. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the compartments are symmetrical
and of equal volume.
7. The pouch of claim 1, wherein each compartment contains a upper
neck that ranges from 25-50% the width of the compartment between
the medial sealed margin and an external upper sealed portion
containing the tear promoting element.
8. The pouch of claim 1, comprising: each compartment having a
widened sealed portion extending across a portion of the top margin
at each top corner; the tear-promoting elements disposed slanted
upward toward the medial margin in respective of said widened
sealed portions.
9. The pouch of claim 8, wherein the tear-promoting element is a
tear-strip.
10. The pouch of claim 9, wherein each tear-strip is a diagonal
tear strip upwardly oriented toward the sealed medial margin and
having a horizontal hand oriented toward the inner neck of each
compartment.
11. The pouch of claim 1, further comprising a second
tear-promoting element across the sealed longitudinal strip.
12. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the second tear-promoting
element consists of one or more horizontal slits.
13. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the second tear-promoting
element consists of one or more perforations.
14. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the upper and bottom margins
comprise horizontal sealing corrugations.
15. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the sealed longitudinal strip
comprises a fold line rendering the two compartments foldable or
separable.
16. The pouch of claim 1, in which one compartment is wider than
the other.
17. The pouch of claim 2, in which one compartment is wider than
the other.
18. The pouch of claim 1, in which both compartments are the same
width.
19. The pouch of claim 1, which is made from a single sheet or from
a roll of plastic.
20. The pouch of claim 1, which is made from a single sheet of
plastic suitable for use in a food product.
21. The pouch of claim 1, wherein at least one compartment contains
a food product.
22. The pouch of claim 1, wherein one compartment contains a
fermented dairy product and the other compartment contains a food
product that may be mixed with or consumed along with the fermented
dairy product.
23. The pouch of claim 1, wherein each compartment contains a
fermented diary product which may be the same or different, and
which have viscosities ranging from 1,000 mPas to 2,500 mPas.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Design Application
Nos. 29/318,551, filed May 22, 2008 and 29/318,552, filed May 22,
2008, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Sealed packaging comprising two side-by-side compartments
that can be separately opened and which allow for controllable
dispensing of the contents of each compartment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Three-side pouches having parallel and symmetric
longitudinally extending compartments have been described by Mobs,
et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,945. This patent describes a
three-sided pouch having two parallel longitudinally extending
chambers with a medial widened portion having tearing aid for
opening both chambers at the same time. Mobs, et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,352,364 describes tubular bag packaging containing tearing
notches or grooves to remove impediments to tearing open the top of
the bag. Tubular packaging is also used in popular yogurt products
such as Go-Gurt.RTM., but once opened it is difficult to control or
meter consumption of such products. Methods and machines useful for
making three-sided pouches are described by Davis, et al. in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,006,501. However, a need has developed for side-by-side
packaging that permits a user to open and control the dispensing of
the contents of separate compartments without having to tear off
the entire top of the package or open both compartments of a
side-by-side pouch at the same time. Moreover, users now demand a
way to easily dispense the contents of dual packaging in a
controlled manner to reduce waste and mess associated with
uncontrolled opening of the compartments of side-by-side packaging
and to pace consumption, use, or expression of the contents of each
compartment. Additionally, consumers wish to be able to control the
organoleptic properties of foods, for example, by mixing different
food components to their individual tastes. With these objectives
in mind the inventor has developed the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves these problems by providing for
side-by-side, dual-pouch packaging which permits separate opening
of each compartment, allowing the contents of one compartment to be
saved for later use, or shared or separately dispensed to different
individuals, as well as for the controlled release of the contents
of each compartment without the mess associated with tearing off
the entire top of each compartment. The invention also provides
users a way to control the organoleptic properties, such as taste,
texture, and color of their foods by allowing for controlled mixing
of different amounts of the contents of each compartment. The
invention provides a high level of convenience and control absent
from prior art products.
[0007] One aspect of the invention is a side-by-side pouch, or dual
pouch, comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments (1);
each compartment including a neck (2) for dispensing its contents,
sealed top (3), medial (4) and bottom (5) margins with the medial
margins in sealed abutment and providing a sealed longitudinal
strip separating the compartments; and each compartment having a
top corner including a tear-promoting element. Each compartment may
have a different height and/or width so as to provide different
volumetric capacities. To maintain the overall rectangular shape of
the dual pouch, the sealed bottom margin of the shorter compartment
may be extended upward. In a preferred embodiment, both
compartments have the same height and width and symmetrical top and
bottom margins.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment each compartment of the dual pouch
is configured to have a widened sealed portion extending across a
portion of the top margin at each top corner and the tear-promoting
elements (5) disposed slanted upward toward the medial margin in
respect to said widened sealed portions. The tear promoting area
containing the tear strip is generally in a horizontally corrugated
area contiguous with corrugations forming the upper sealed margin.
While the tearing aid may be of any configuration, such as a
horizontal, diagonal, S-shaped, or Z-shaped slit, line of weakness,
perforation line, notch, or perforation, an S-shaped (and on the
adjoining symmetrical compartment a reverse-S-shaped) configuration
is preferred. This configuration is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8
and contains a lower diagonal arm slanting upward (5A), an elbow
(5B), forearm and horizontal hand (5C). The hand portion is
oriented toward the neck through which the contents of the
compartment will be released once the tear promoting means is
activated. If desired more than one tear promoting means may be
provided for each or both compartments. A tear-promoting or
tear-inhibiting means (6) may also be provided at the top of the
medial sealed margin (4).
[0009] In another embodiment, each compartment of the dual pouch
will contain the same or different food products, such as liquid or
semisolid foods having viscosities within the range of 1,000-2,500
mPa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of
the Dannon Dual Pack having equal sized compartments.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view thereof;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of
the Dannon Dual Pack having unequal sized compartments.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a left side elevational view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top plan view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view thereof;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment
of the Dannon Dual Pack, showing the design thereof;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view thereof;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a left side elevational view thereof;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view thereof;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a top plan view thereof; and
[0027] FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The side-by-side pouch, or dual pouch, of the invention
generally comprises a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments or
pouches; each compartment including a neck for dispensing its
contents, sealed top, bottom and medial margins with the medial
margins in sealed abutment and providing a sealed longitudinal
strip separating the compartments; and each compartment having a
top corner including a tear-promoting element.
[0029] The bottom margin of each compartment of the dual pouch may
be of the same width, but have a different height, so as to form
compartments of different lengths and different packaging
capacities (FIGS. 7 and 8). For example, one compartment of the
dual pouch may have a volumetric capacity of 50 to <100% of the
volume of the other compartment. This variable capacity includes
all intermediately values and subranges, such as 50, 51, 55, 60,
65, 70, 75, 80, 82.5, 85, 90, 95 and 99% of the capacity of the
adjoining compartment or pouch. Preferably, the sealed bottom
margin of the shorter compartment having less capacity will be
taller than that of the longer compartment thus preserving the
overall rectangular appearance of the dual pouch as shown in FIGS.
7 and 8.
[0030] Generally, each side of the dual pouch will have the same or
similar width and same height providing compartments with equal
volumetric capacities (FIGS. 1 and 2). However, each compartment
may be designed to have a different width or differing heights.
Side-by-side compartments with different volumetric capacities can
be produced by varying the width of one compartment. For example,
the narrower compartment may have 25 to <100% the width of the
wider compartment. This range in compartment width includes all
intermediate values and subranges, such as a narrower compartment
having a width of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 72.5, 75,
80, 85, 90, and 95% of the width of the wider compartment. By
keeping the height of each compartment uniform, different
volumetric capacities are provided. Care must be taken that the
width of each compartment is sufficient to provide for necks of an
appropriate size for dispensing the contents of each compartment as
well as for the tear promoting means at the outer upper corners of
each compartment.
[0031] The width of dual pack taking into account the width of both
compartments, preferably ranges from 2.0 to 6.0 inches, more
preferably, about 3.0 to 4.5 inches, and most preferably about 2.75
to 3.25 inches or about 3 inches in width. These ranges include all
intermediate subranges and values, such as 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.25,
4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inches.
[0032] The volumetric capacity of each compartment preferably
ranges from 0.5 to 3.5 oz., more preferably about 0.75 to 1.5 oz,
for example, a capacity about 0.5, 0.75, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.25 or
1.50 oz as well as all intermediate subranges and values. The
overall height of the dual pack preferably ranges from about 4 to
10 inches in length, such as 4, 5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, 9.5 or 10
inches as well as all intermediate subranges and values.
[0033] Each compartment has an upper neck (2) formed between the
medial sealed margin (4) separating the two compartments (1) and
the tear promoting area at the upper outer corner of each
compartment. The width of each neck permits controlled release of
the contents of each compartment. The necks of each compartment
define the aperture size through which the product is removed once
the compartment is torn open. While any neck size less than the
width of each compartment may be selected depending on the nature
of the contents, preferably, the necks will be about 10% to 50% of
the width of each compartment, more preferably from about 20% to
30% of the width of each compartment. These ranges include all
intermediate values and subranges, for example, the neck width may
be 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 47.5 and 50% of the internal or
external width of each compartment. For example, a compartment
having an external width of about 1.6'' (4 cm) may employ a neck
having a width of about 0.4'' (1 cm) at the upper margin. When torn
open, the about 0.4'' aperture formed across the torn neck permits
the contents of the 1.6'' wide compartment to be released in a
controlled fashion. In contrast, an otherwise similar, but neckless
compartment, when torn open would release its contents in an
uncontrolled fashion through a 1.6'' wide opening.
[0034] Generally, the necks of each compartment will be symmetric
and form similar sized openings for product release (FIGS. 1, 2, 7
and 8). However, if desired, the necks may be of different widths
to permit the contents of one side to be released at a different
rate than those of the other. When the contents of one compartment
have a higher viscosity or contain particulate matter that impedes
release compared to the contents of the other compartment, the neck
size may be adjusted to provide for release of both products at the
same rate or at any differential rate.
[0035] Preferably, both the top and bottom margins have horizontal
corrugations of about 0.5-2.0 mm in height, such as 1 mm
corrugations, although either margin may also be sealed to form a
smooth margin without corrugations.
[0036] The dual pouch may also have a fold line, crease, or line of
weakness down the medial sealed margin between the compartments to
facilitate folding and alignment of the compartments over one
another. Alternatively, the medial margin may be sealed or
reinforced in a manner to prevent folding.
[0037] The upper margin of the dual pack contains a tear-promoting
feature for each compartment. The dual tear promoting features
permit each compartment to be separately opened by application of
force to the element so as to tear across the neck. Once torn, the
contents of the compartment may be easily directed outward through
the thus formed aperture having the size defined by the width of
the neck.
[0038] In one embodiment, the tear promoting element will angle
diagonally upward toward the upper margin of the compartment, and
have an elbow and a small tear line at its hand pointed toward the
inner neck of the compartment as shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] In another embodiment, the tear promoting element may have
multiple horizontal tear lines providing tear lines across the neck
of the compartment at different points. Multiple tear lines may be
used when the neck of the pouch is tapered, and provide a choice of
tear points that define different aperture sizes.
[0040] A medial tear promoting area may also be provided on the
longitudinal strip separating the two compartments to facilitate
opening the necks of both compartments at the same time. This may
be a small slit horizontally aligned with each neck or one or more
perforations. Alternatively, the medial longitudinal area between
the necks of the two compartments may be configured to inhibit
tearing across the medial margin (4). A vertical slit or
reinforcement, such as a reinforced seal, vertical corrugations, or
thickened plastic bead may be placed at (6) or along (4) to prevent
the tearing open of both compartments at one time.
[0041] The necks of each compartment will generally have the same
width along their entire height and be aligned with the tear
feature as to provide a standard sized aperture when the tear
feature is activated. However, the necks may also be tapered in
conjunction with a tear feature that offers several alternative
tear lines. This permits a use to select a tear line that provides
a select aperture size. For example, a compartment having a width
of about 1.6'' (4 cm) may have a neck which tapers from about 0.4''
(1 cm) at its base to about 0.1'' (0.25 cm) at its top. A
corresponding tear promoting element would have multiple tear lines
aligned with the base, middle and top of the neck, which when torn
open would provide apertures ranging from about 1 cm at the base,
0.2'' (0.5 cm) in the middle, and 0.1'' (0.25 cm) at the top of the
neck.
[0042] Various products may be contained in the dual pack,
especially products in which dual dispensing or controlled mixing
of separate components is desired. It is especially useful for
containing food products, such as semi-solid or semi-liquid
products having viscosities ranging from 1,000 mPa to 2,500 mPa.
These products include dairy products and corresponding
vegetable-based products, such as yogurt, yogurt-like products, ice
cream, sour cream, semisoft cheeses, soy-yogurt, tofu, and
tofu-based products, and products containing oils, including salad
dressings and mayonnaise, fruit purees, jellies and preserves,
puddings, gravies, sauces, soups, syrups, drink mixes, condiments,
and baby foods. The dual pack format is useful for complementary
food products, such as combinations of different yogurt flavors,
yogurt and fruit puree, or multicomponent foods which must be mixed
immediately before preparation or consumption. The contents of each
compartment may be prepared using conventional food processing
technologies, such as those described in the Kirk-Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5.sup.th edition, "Food
Processing". For example, package contents may be heat-treated or
irradiated as described by any of the processes described by
sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6-4.8 of this reference and which are
hereby specifically incorporated by reference. Non-food products
may also be separately packaged using the dual pack package of the
invention.
[0043] The viscosity of the contents of the dual pack compartments
may range from about 1,000 mPas to about 2,500 mPas. If the
contents of the compartments have a viscosity below 1,000 it
becomes difficult to control the release of the contents and it
becomes more difficult to remove the product through the dual pack
aperture when viscosity is higher than 2,500 mPas. Viscosity may be
determined using a Rheomat 180, 2-2 system at 64 rpm and 10
sec.
[0044] If the contents contain particles, such as fruit, nut,
cereal, fiber, vegetable, or confectionary particles, the average
diameter of the particles may range from >0 to 5 mm, preferably
less than 3 mm, and more preferably less than 1 or 2 mm. While
larger particles up to the width of the neck of each compartment,
such as particles up to 1 cm in diameter, may be accommodated by
the dual pack compartments, such particles may agglomerate and
interfere with smooth release of the product.
[0045] The dual compartments may contain the same type of product,
such as two fermented yogurt products, which may be the same flavor
and color or different flavors and colors, or may contain different
types of food products, such as a yogurt product on one side and a
fruit component on the other side.
[0046] If desired, a user of the dual pack may separately tear open
each compartment and remove the contents of each side
simultaneously, for example, by folding a dual pack designed to be
folded along its longitudinal axis (4), and squeezing both
compartments together. This process provide simultaneous controlled
release of the contents of the doubled-over compartments through
their respective necks.
[0047] In another embodiment, each compartment will have a
different length. This permits the quantity of product on each side
to be optimized. For example, when it is desired to provide a
yogurt and fruit puree mixture in a ratio of 2:1, each compartment
may have the same width, but the yogurt containing compartment may
be twice as long as the fruit puree containing compartment. To
maintain the overall rectangular shape of a dual pack the bottom
sealed margin of the shorter compartment may be extended upward or
this area may be used to provide labeling, an embossed logo,
removable stickers, punch out areas, holes to facilitate dispensing
or binding of multiple dual packs together, or other useful
features.
[0048] In addition to a foldable configuration, the dual pack may
also be formulated to be tearable along its medial axis (4), for
example, by inclusion of a crease, groove or perforations along the
medial longitudinal strip so as to permit a user to remove or
separate one compartment from the other either before or after its
use.
[0049] The dual pack may be produced using various machines or
apparatuses known in the art, for example, machines such as those
described by Davis, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,501 and the other
art described in the Background section which are hereby
incorporated by reference with respect to how to make side-by-side
pouches. However, the machines must be configured so as to provide
the unique features of the dual pack, such as the necks through
which product is dispensed and the tear promoting area and tear
features. These features are provided by unique heat sealing means,
such as novel jaws or stamps, as well as by cutting means, such as
one or more punch knives or blades designed to provide the tear
promoting means of the invention, such as those illustrated in the
figures.
[0050] The dual pack may be produced from a barrier or non-barrier
type plastic film, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) or
other non-toxic plastics or thermoplastics known in the art and
which are also incorporated by reference to Kirk-Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5.sup.th edition, vol. 18,
"Packaging Food", section 4 "Plastic Packaging". The properties and
characteristics of PET are specifically incorporated by reference
to page 18 "Polyester" of the above reference and one example is a
1.8 mil, 48 guage WINPAC PET. The packaging material will be
non-toxic and have a tensile strength suitable for commercial
packaging and distribution of foods and preferably will be a
printable plastic. Other plastic packaging materials such as those
described by Table 1 of Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology, 5.sup.th edition, vol. 18 in laminated or unlaminated
forms may be used. These materials and their properties are
incorporated by reference to Table 1 of the above reference.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Dual Pack Production Method
[0051] A single roll of film is fed into a form fill seal machine.
The web width is cut in as many bands as dual pouches to form. Each
band undergoes a folding pattern when passing through rigid guides.
Once the tubes are formed, a unique design jaw mechanism presses
heating pad onto the film and seals the top margin of pre-filled
dual pouches and the center seam and bottom margin of the next set
of dual pouches. A unique heat seal in the shape depicted in FIG. 1
is produced. Blades are used to cut along the length of this heat
seal, thus forming the tearable feature of the dual pack, to
produce a medial tear or perforation, and to separate each pair of
filled dual pack units. The machine releases the finished pouches
onto a conveyer or into another container and cycles the forming of
another set of pouches. The filling of product is accomplish during
the cycling of the machine between the sealing jaw compression
time. Product(s) are filled into each side of the pouch with
filling tubes.
Example 2
Dual Pack Containing Different Types of Yogurt
[0052] A dual pack approximately 10 inches tall, and 3 inches wide
was produced from a single roll of PET film, having a gauge of 1.8
mil obtained from WINPAC.
[0053] Each compartment had a internal diameter measured from the
medial longitudinal seal to the outer edge of about 1.375'' (3.5
cm) and symmetrical necks having a width of about 0.5'' (1.5 cm).
One compartment is filled with about 1.5 oz of a yogurt product and
the other is filled with about 1.5 oz of a fruit puree having a
viscosity of about 1,500 mPa.
* * * * *