U.S. patent application number 13/362798 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for flexible pouch with arcuate inner seal.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is R. Charles Murray. Invention is credited to R. Charles Murray.
Application Number | 20130195382 13/362798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48870272 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130195382 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murray; R. Charles |
August 1, 2013 |
FLEXIBLE POUCH WITH ARCUATE INNER SEAL
Abstract
A flexible pouch is provided having arcuate shaped gusset seals
sealed to the top and/or bottom of the inner surface wall of the
pouch body. The arcuate shaped gussets provide a more durable seam
than that of the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The
arcuate shaped gusset seals also allow for greater expansion of the
gusset relative to the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The
flexible pouch may further include a plurality of elongated baffles
disposed on the skirt. The elongated baffles are operable to
provide support for the weight of a filled flexible pouch so as to
help the pouch remain upright when placed on its bottom surface.
The flexible pouch further includes a gas pocket disposed axially
along the side portions of the pouch.
Inventors: |
Murray; R. Charles;
(Sarasota, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Murray; R. Charles |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
Sarasota
FL
|
Family ID: |
48870272 |
Appl. No.: |
13/362798 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/10 ; 383/105;
383/120; 383/121; 383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/008 20130101;
B65D 75/5877 20130101; B65D 2203/10 20130101; B65D 75/52 20130101;
B65D 75/566 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/10 ; 383/121;
383/38; 383/105; 383/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 30/10 20060101
B65D030/10; B65D 30/22 20060101 B65D030/22; B65D 30/20 20060101
B65D030/20; B65D 33/08 20060101 B65D033/08 |
Claims
1. A flexible pouch comprising: a pouch body having a front portion
opposite a back portion, a pair of opposing side portions defining
the front portion from the back portion, and a bottom end opposite
a top end; a gusset disposed between the front and back portions of
the pouch body; the gusset sealed to the front and back portions of
the pouch body so as to form a gusset seal, the end portions of the
gusset seal extending arcuately from one of the pair of opposing
side portions to the other of the pair of opposing side
portions.
2. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gusset
seal extend arcuately from one of the opposing side portions of the
pouch to the other of the opposing side portions of the pouch.
3. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gusset
is a pair of gussets, one of the pair of gussets disposed adjacent
the bottom end of the pouch body, and the other of the pair of
gussets disposed adjacent the top end of the pouch body, wherein
the gusset seal of the gusset disposed adjacent the bottom end of
the pouch body extends arcuately towards the bottom end of the
pouch body, the gusset seal of the gusset disposed adjacent the top
end of the pouch body extends arcuately towards the top end of the
pouch body.
4. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 3, wherein one of the
pair of gussets is generally symmetrical to the other of the pair
of gussets.
5. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1, further including a
first sheet and a second sheet, each having a pair of side edges, a
top edge and a bottom edge, the edges of the first sheet are sealed
to the edges of the second sheet, so as to form the pouch body.
6. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 6, wherein the gusset
includes a first gusset portion, a second gusset portion and a fold
separating the first gusset portion from the second gusset portion,
the first gusset portion sealed to the first sheet so as to form a
first panel of material, the second gusset portion sealed to the
second sheet so as to form a second panel of material, the fold
spaced apart respective first and second panels of material.
7. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 6, further including at
least one aperture configured to accommodate the grip of a user,
the at least one aperture formed on one of either the first or
second panel of material.
8. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 6, including a pair of
apertures, each of the pair of apertures configured to accommodate
the grip of a user, each of the pair of apertures formed on
respective first and second panel of materials, one of the pair of
apertures opposite the other of the pair of apertures.
9. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1 further including a
skirt, the skirt formed along the bottom edge of the pouch body,
the skirt including a panel of material extending along the bottom
edge, the panel of material including at least one elongated
baffle, the elongated baffle extending axially along a portion of
the length of the skirt.
10. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 9, wherein the skirt
includes an inner surface opposite an outer surface, the at least
one elongated baffle is a plurality of elongated baffles formed on
both the inner and outer surfaces of the skirt.
11. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1, further including a
gas pocket disposed on one of the opposing side portions.
12. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 11, wherein the gas
pocket extends along an axis, the axis extending from the top of
the pouch to the bottom of the pouch.
13. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 12, wherein the gas
pocket is filled with air and has a predetermined amount of
pressure operable to sustain the pouch in an upright manner.
14. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 1, further including a
rib disposed on the outer surface of the pouch body.
15. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 14, wherein the rib
extends axially from the top to the bottom of the pouch body, the
rib formed from a portion of the pouch body folded and sealed
together.
16. The flexible pouch as set forth in claim 15, including two
pairs of ribs, each of the pair of ribs spaced apart from each
other, one of the two pairs of ribs formed on the front portion of
the pouch body, the other of the two pairs of ribs formed on the
back portion of the pouch body.
Description
[0001] This Application is the National Phase of Application
PCT/US2011/039766, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/353,080 filed on Jun. 9, 2010. Application
PCT/US2011/039766 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/353,094 filed on Jun. 9, 2010, the disclosures of
which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a flexible pouch. More particularly
the invention relates to a flexible pouch having a gusset.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Flexible pouches are formed from sheets of pliable material
such as metal laminates. Flexible pouches include a pouch body
having a front portion and a back portion. The pouches may be
formed by symmetrically shaped first and second sheets sealed
together along the edges. Alternatively, the sheet may be folded
onto itself and sealed along the edges.
[0004] Current pouches may include gussets to help the pouch expand
during filling operations and to provide greater storage space for
the pouch body. The gussets are formed by a sheet of material, also
referenced herein as a gusset sheet, disposed on either the top or
bottom portion of the pouch. The gusset sheet may be integrally
formed with the either the first or second sheet, or may be
introduced as a separate sheet.
[0005] In some instances the gusset may be disposed on both top and
bottom portions of the pouch. Preferably the gusset sheet is
composed of similar material to that of the pouch body. The gusset
sheet includes a fold so as to divide the gusset sheet into a first
gusset portion and a second gusset portion. The outer edges of
first and second gusset portions are sealed to respective edges of
the pouch body. Currently the first and second gusset portions are
sealed to respective outer edges of the pouch body along an axis.
Accordingly during filling operations the first and second portions
of the gusset expand away from each other, opening the gusset along
the fold so as to expand the pouch body and accommodate the
introduction of beverages.
[0006] It is also known to form handles on a portion of the pouch
to facilitate manipulation of the pouch and carrying the pouch. For
example, a top portion of the pouch may include apertures
configured to receive fingers. These apertures are formed along an
extended sealed side edge of respective first and second sheets of
the pouch body. The extended sealed side edge is formed by sealing
a portion of the first sheet to a corresponding portion of the
second sheet.
[0007] It is also known to configure flexible pouches to be self
standing. In such instances, the bottom of the pouch body is formed
with a skirt. The skirt is a panel of material extending along the
bottom of the pouch, bounding the bottom surface of the pouch. In
some cases, the weight of the pouch may cause the skirt to fold,
and thus prevent the pouch from standing up right.
[0008] Another advantage of the flexible pouch is the relatively
inexpensive manufacturing cost as compared to other drinking
containers such as a relatively rigid plastic or glass bottle.
Accordingly it remains desirable to have a flexible pouch
configured to contain relatively larger amounts of liquids without
significantly increasing manufacturing costs and yet can support
the pouch in an upright manner in spite of the added weight of
fluids.
[0009] Accordingly it remains desirable to have a pouch with a
gusset having a sturdier seam relative to seams currently known and
used. Furthermore, it remains desirable to have a pouch with a
handle that does not require as much material as the current art.
Furthermore, it remains desirable to have a pouch with a skirt
sufficiently rigid to help maintain the pouch in an upright manner.
Further, it remains desirable to have a pouch with a rigid side
edge to help support the pouch in generally rigid upright
manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention a flexible pouch is
provided having a gusset. The gusset includes a pair of gusset
seals that extends arcuately along the inner wall of the pouch
body. The gusset seal binds the gusset to respective front and back
portions of the pouch body. The arcuate shaped gusset seals provide
a more durable seam than that of the axially sealed gussets of the
prior art. The arcuate shaped gusset seals also allow for greater
expansion of the gusset relative to the axially sealed gussets of
the prior art.
[0011] The flexible pouch may further include a handle formed on
one of either the first or second sheet of the pouch body so as to
reduce material for making a pouch handle with respect to the pouch
handles of the prior art. Thus, manufacturing costs are also
reduced relative to pouches having handles of the prior art.
[0012] The flexible pouch may further include a plurality of
elongated baffles disposed on the skirt. The elongated baffles are
operable to provide support for the weight of a filled flexible
pouch so as to help the pouch remain upright when placed on its
bottom surface.
[0013] The flexible pouch may further include first and second side
seals extending longitudinally along the length of the pouch. The
first seal is spaced apart from the second seal so as to form a
chamber for containing gases. The chamber extends generally from
the top to the bottom of the pouch, and along respective side edges
of the pouch body. The gases are disposed within the chamber so as
to form a generally rigid pocket of air extending axially along the
side edges of the pouch. The elongated rigid pocket of air is
operable to provide structural strength to the side edges to help
users manipulate the pouch and to further stabilize and maintain
the pouch in an upright position
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a prior art view of a pouch having gussets sealed
to the pouch body along an axis;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a prior art view of a pouch having seams disposed
axially along the sides, top and bottom edges of the pouch
body;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of a flexible pouch of the present
invention having a gusset sealed arcuately along respective first
and second sheets of the pouch body;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of first and
second sheets;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pouch of FIG. 3 filled
with a beverage;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the pouch
showing the sealing bars operable to form baffles along the skirt;
and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom of the pouch of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, an illustration of a flexible pouch 10
of the present invention is provided. The flexible pouch 10
includes a pouch body 12. The flexible pouch 10 has a front portion
14 opposite a back portion 16, and a pair of side portions 18
separating the front portion 14 from the back portion 16. The side
portions 18 are formed by a sheet of material sealed together and
form a generally planar surface extending outwardly from the pouch
body 12. The pouch body 12 may be formed by a sheet 20 of laminate
material folded and sealed so as to form the pouch body 12.
[0023] Alternatively, the pouch body 12 may be formed by a first
and second sheet 22, 24 of material. The first sheet 22 generally
forms the front portion 14 of the pouch 10 and the second sheet 24
generally forms the back portion 16 of the pouch 10. The first and
second sheets 22, 24 have respective outer edges 26 which are
sealed to each other so as to form a pouch body 12.
[0024] The pouch 10 includes a gusset 28. The gusset 28 has a
gusset sheet 30 having a fold 32. The fold 32 extends generally
axially between opposing ends of the gusset sheet 30 and divides
the gusset sheet 30 into a first gusset portion 34 and a second
gusset portion 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the gusset 28 is sealed to
the bottom portion 38 of the pouch body 12. Preferably, the gusset
28 is generally circular, or elliptical in shape. The fold 32
generally divides the gusset 28 in half so as to form the first
gusset portion 34 and the second gusset portion 36. The outer edges
26 of both the first gusset portion 34 and second gusset portion 36
are sealed to the inner wall surface of the pouch body 12.
Specifically, the first gusset portion 34 is sealed to the first
sheet 22 and the second gusset portion 36 is sealed to the second
sheet 24 so as to form a gusset seal 40, as indicated by the dashed
lines in FIG. 3.
[0025] The gusset seal 40 extends generally arcuately between
opposing side edges 26 of the pouch body 12. More specifically, in
instances where the gusset 28 is circular, as shown in FIG. 4, the
first and second gusset portions 34, 36 are sealed along respective
first and second sheets 22, 24 so as to define an arc 44. The arc
44 may be uniform so as to have a predetermined radius "R." The arc
44 begins from respective midportions 46 of the side edges 26 of
the pouch body 12 and extends towards the bottom edge 42 of the
pouch body 12 so as to form a bottom gusset 48.
[0026] It should be appreciated that the pouch 10 may include a
pair of arcs 44 on disposed on a top or bottom corner of the pouch
body 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, one of the pair of arcs
44 is opposite the other, and an length of pouch body extends along
a general axis between each of the pair of arcs, as shown in FIG.
8. Arcs 44 help distribute the load along the entire inner surface
of the corner of the pouch 10 so as to help preserve the structural
integrity of the pouch body 12. Thus, force from weight being added
to the pouch body 12, or pressure is applied to the pouch body 12,
is distributed across a greater surface area relative to pouches
where such corners are formed with obtuse angles as shown in the
prior art Figure.
[0027] With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 5, a perspective view of a
flexible pouch 10 filled with a beverage is provided. As shown, the
gusset 28 is expanded, and forms a generally rounded top and bottom
surface of the pouch body 12. Further, the front and back portions
14, 16 of the pouch 10 expand outwardly away from each other, and a
pair of spaced apart ribs 50 is formed on both the front and back
portions 14, 16 of the pouch 10. The ribs 50 extend generally
axially from the top to the bottom of the pouch 10 so as to form a
generally rectangular shaped body 52, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and
7.
[0028] The ribs 50 may be formed by making a fold along the pouch
body 12. The fold extends along the length of the outer surface 42
of the pouch body 12. Preferably, the pouch 10 includes a pair of
ribs 50 formed along the outer surface 42 of both the front and
back of the pouch 10. The ribs 50 may be formed using a seal bar
(not shown). The seal bar is configured to create the fold along
the outer surface of the pouch body 16. The seal bar is further
operable to apply a pressure seal along the fold. The fold may be
heated and cooled so as to form the generally rigid rib 50.
[0029] With reference again to FIG. 2, the pouch body 12 may
further include a top gusset 54. The top and bottom gussets 54, 48
are generally symmetrical to each other. Accordingly, a discussion
of the bottom gusset 48 is sufficient to describe and enable one
skilled in the art to make the top gusset 54.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 4, an illustration of an
embodiment of first and second sheet 22, 24 is provided. The first
and second sheets 22, 24 are generally rectangular. Preferably the
first sheet 22 includes a pair of gussets 28 formed along the top
and bottom of the sheet 20. The gusset 28 is also rectangular and
includes a fold 32. It is anticipated that either the first or
second sheet 22, 24 may be cut so as to include a gusset sheet 30.
The fold 32 is positioned between the first and second sheets 22,
24 of the pouch body 12. The first gusset portion 34 of each gusset
28 are folded along respective bottom and top edges 26, 42 of the
first sheet 22. The distal edges 18a, 36a of each gusset sheet 30
is then aligned with respect to the top and bottom edges of the
second sheet 24, wherein the gusset 28 is partially folded along
the fold 32. The gusset 28 is then sealed to respective top and
bottom portions 38 of the second sheet 24.
[0031] A seal bar (not shown) is fitted between the first and
second gusset portions 34, 36 of the gusset 28. The seal bar has an
arcuate surface and compresses a portion of respective first and
second sheets 22, 24 to the gusset 28 so as to seal the first
gusset portion 34 to the first sheet 22 so as to form a first panel
of material 56 and the second gusset portion 36 to the second sheet
24 so as to form a second panel of material 58, as shown in FIG.
3.
[0032] The gusset seal 40 extends arcuately between respective side
edges 26, 42 of the pouch body 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The fold 32
lies generally along an axis extending between opposing side edges
of the pouch body 12 to help the pouch body 12 expand during
filling operations.
[0033] The seal bar may include apertures. The apertures are
selectively disposed along the seal bar and are operable to form a
pocket 62 in respective first and second panels of material 56, 58.
The pockets 62 may be configured to hold devices such as radio
frequency identifying devices 64 (RFIDs). Other devices may be
placed within the pockets 62 formed along the top portion and
bottom portion 38 of respective panels of material 56, 58. For
instance temperature indicators may be disposed in the pocket 62 so
as to inform the user of the temperature of the product.
[0034] With respect to the top gusset 54, the gusset 28 is formed
in a like manner as the bottom gusset 48. However, the gusset 28 is
formed further away from the top edge of the pouch 10 than the
bottom gusset 48 is formed from the bottom edge 42 of the pouch 10.
Thus excess material is disposed between the top gusset 54 and the
top edge of the pouch body 12. As with the bottom gusset 48, the
sealing bar 66 may include apertures so as to form pockets 62 for
devices such as RFIDs along the respective first and second sealed
sheet portions 60 of the top gusset 54.
[0035] With reference again to FIG. 3, the first and second panels
of material 56, 58 may further include handle apertures 68. The
handle apertures 68 are configured to receive fingers so as to help
the consumer carry the filled pouch 10. The first and second sealed
sheet portions 60 provide support for the weight of the pouch body
12. It is anticipated that the handle apertures 68 may be formed on
the first and second sealed sheets 20 of the bottom portion 38 of
the pouch 10 as well.
[0036] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pouch 10 may
further include a skirt 70. The skirt 70 is formed along the bottom
edge 42 of the pouch body 12. The skirt 70 may be composed of a
sheet 20 of laminate material. More specifically, the skirt 70 may
include a panel of material extending along the bottom edge 42 of
the pouch body 12. The panel of material may include at least one
elongated baffle 72. The elongated baffle 72 extends axially along
a portion of the length of the skirt 70.
[0037] The skirt 70 further includes an inner surface opposite 74
an outer surface 76. The skirt 70 may include multiple elongated
baffles 72 formed on both the inner and outer surfaces 76 of the
skirt 70. The elongated baffles 72 are operative to prevent the
bottom edge 42 of the pouch body 12 from collapsing inwardly with
respect to the center of the pouch body 12. Thus, the skirt 70
remains sufficiently rigid so as to retain its wall shape and
support the filled pouch 10 in a generally upright manner when the
pouch 10 is placed upon its bottom end.
[0038] The baffles 72 may be formed using a pair of sealing bars
66. Each of the sealing bars 66 includes a sealing surface. The
sealing surfaces include a teethed edge configured to fittingly
engage each other. In operation, heat may be applied to the sealing
bars 66. The skirt 70 is placed between each of the sealing bars
66. The sealing bars 66 are pressed towards each other pinching the
skirt 70. The skirt 70 is heated and the sealing bars 66 are
displaced away from each other, leaving a plurality of baffles 72
formed on the inner and outer surfaces 76 of the skirt 70.
[0039] Each side portion 18 has a predetermined width (W) and
extends axially along the respective sides of the pouch 10. The
side edges 18 have an outer seal 80a spaced apart an inner seal 80b
so as to form a gas pocket 80. The inner seal 80b extends generally
longitudinally from the top of the pouch body 12 to the bottom of
the pouch body 12. It should be appreciated that the top 11 of the
pouch body 12 refers to the portion of the pouch 10 adjacent the
handle 68, and the bottom of the pouch body 12 refers to the
portion of the pouch 10 adjacent the skirt 70. Preferably the inner
seal 80b is a tack seal formed by applying low temperatures to the
sheets so as to melt a portion of the respective sheets 22, 24
together. Tack sealing is a sealing method currently known and used
in the art. It is known by those skilled in the art that the
temperature used for the tack seal is sufficient to melt the sheets
22, 24 together and yet prevent the ketones from entering into the
pouch body 12.
[0040] The outer seal 80a is spaced apart from the inner seal 80b.
The outer seal 80a may be formed using a high temperature seal
technique. High temperature seal techniques are currently known and
used in the art, and any such technique is adaptable for use
herein. The temperature used in high temperature seal techniques is
sufficient to melt the material together to form one body of
material. In the instant case, single body of material forms the
distal ends of the side portions 18. The singular body of material
is then cooled.
[0041] The outer and inner seals 80a, 80b both extend between the
top 11 and bottom 13 of the pouch body 12. Gases may be injected
into the gas pocket 80. Preferably gases such as carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, or oxygen are injected into the pocket 80 so as to fill
the pocket 80 with a predetermined pressure sufficient to support
the side portions of the pouch body in a relatively upright manner.
Upon injection of the gas, the top 11 and the bottom 13 of the
pouch 10 may be sealed so as to maintain the predetermined pressure
within the pocket 22.
[0042] With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 7, a pouch 10 with a
fitment 17 is provided. As shown, the bottom 13 of the pouch 10
includes a gusset 34 to help the pouch body 16 expand during
filling operations. The top 11 and bottom of the pouch 10 are
sealed to form a single sealed edge extending axially between
opposing side portions 18 of the pouch 10. The gas pocket 80 is
filled with gas and has a predetermined pressure operable to
support the pouch in a relatively upright manner.
[0043] With reference now to FIG. 3, a side view of the formed
pouch 10 is provided. The ribs 42 extend generally between the top
20 of the pouch and the gusseted bottom 28 of the pouch 10. The
side edge 18 is shown and the gas pocket 30 is also shown extending
beyond the outer surface of respective side edges 18. Accordingly
the pouch 10 is provided with structure to help maintain the pouch
in a generally upright position. More specifically the pair of
opposing side pockets 30 help form a rigid outer side edge 18 of
the pouch 10 which can be used as a handle 46 for manipulating the
pouch and handling the pouch. Additionally the reinforcing ribs 40
form a structural support to maintain the pouch 10 in an upright
manner despite the displacement of product in the pouch.
[0044] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is therefore to be understood that the terminology used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings without varying from the
scope and spirit of the invention described herein.
* * * * *