U.S. patent application number 14/820059 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for multi compartment pouch.
The applicant listed for this patent is Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC. Invention is credited to R. Charles Murray.
Application Number | 20160039575 14/820059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55266868 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160039575 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murray; R. Charles |
February 11, 2016 |
MULTI COMPARTMENT POUCH
Abstract
A flexible pouch having multiple compartments is provided. The
compartments are formed by providing additional sealed areas in the
flexible pouch that bond a front panel and a back panel of the
flexible pouch together thereby creating a barrier between open
spaces within the pouch.
Inventors: |
Murray; R. Charles;
(Sarasota, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC |
Sarasota |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55266868 |
Appl. No.: |
14/820059 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62033925 |
Aug 6, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/204 ;
383/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/566 20130101;
B65D 75/527 20130101; B65D 75/5805 20130101; B65D 27/08 20130101;
A24F 23/04 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101; B65D 81/3261 20130101;
B65D 2209/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/08 20060101
B65D027/08 |
Claims
1. A flexible pouch comprising: a first panel and a second panel,
at least one seal bonding the first panel to the second panel; and
at least two compartments formed by the first panel and the second
panel, each compartment having a separate respective opening, the
compartments integrally formed, the compartments separated by the
at least one seal thereby creating a barrier between open spaces
within the pouch and entirely separating the contents of each
compartment.
2. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the flexible pouch
includes three distinct compartments.
3. The flexible pouch of claim 2 wherein each of the compartments
includes a separate respective opening.
4. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the opening is a
reclosable cap.
5. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the opening is made of a
portion of the first panel or the second having a tear seam.
6. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
compartments includes an absorbent material contained therein.
7. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the opening includes a
reasealable strip having an adhesive.
8. The flexible pouch of claim 1 wherein the opening of a second
compartment is spaced apart from any portion of the first
compartment.
9. The flexible pouch of claim 8 where the opening is a tear
seam.
10. A flexible pouch comprising: at least two compartments, the
compartments each having at least one flexible wall; and each
compartment having a separate respective opening, the compartments
integrally formed, the compartments separated by the at least one
seal thereby creating a barrier between open spaces within the
pouch and entirely separating the contents of each compartment.
11. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein the flexible pouch
includes three distinct compartments.
12. The flexible pouch of claim 11 wherein each of the compartments
includes a separate respective opening.
13. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein the opening is a
reclosable cap.
14. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein the opening is made of a
portion of the first panel or the second having a tear seam.
15. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein at least one of the
compartments includes an absorbent material contained therein.
16. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein the opening includes a
reasealable strip having an adhesive.
17. The flexible pouch of claim 10 wherein a first compartment and
a second compartment are provided.
18. The flexible pouch of claim 17 wherein the first compartment
and the second compartment have a seal positioned between the first
compartment and the second compartment.
19. The flexible pouch of claim 18 wherein the first compartment is
adapted to fold onto the second compartment, the folding occurring
at the seal so as to provide for a more compact package.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 62/033,925 filed on Aug. 6, 2014, the contents of which
are incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to containers. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible pouch
having multiple compartments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Flexible pouches are known in the art. However, previously
known designs are only have one compartment and are thus capable,
of only holding one substance. Certain foods, tobacco . . . etc.
require separate storage. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to
provide a pouch allowing multiple substances or fillers within the
pouch without allowing those substances to interact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A flexible pouch having multiple compartments is provided.
The compartments are formed by providing additional sealed areas in
the flexible pouch that bond a front panel and a back panel of the
flexible pouch together thereby creating a barrier between open
spaces within the pouch. Each of the compartments can be designed
for a specific purpose. For example, one compartment can be
designed to hold liquid consumable goods, another compartment can
be designed to hold dry goods, another compartment can be designed
to store material for disposal, and a sleeve type compartment for
storing various prepackaged items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pouch of the present invention
having two compartments;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiments as shown in FIG.
2;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment front view of the
present invention having two compartments;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment front view of the
present invention having 4 compartments;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a front view of yet another alternative View of
the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective vim of the pouch as illustrated in
FIG. 5 in a folded configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The following is a detailed description of specific
embodiments of the present invention and should be read with
reference to the figures. The present embodiment includes a
flexible pouch, specifically a flexible pouch having multiple
compartments. The compartments are formed by providing additional
sealed areas in the flexible pouch that bond a front panel and a
back panel of the flexible pouch together thereby creating a
barrier between open spaces within the pouch.
[0012] A flexible pouch 10 includes a front panel 12 and a back
panel 14. An outer perimeter of the flexible pouch 10 is defined by
side sealed edges 16, a top sealed edge 18, and a bottom folded
edge 20. It is appreciated that one of the side sealed edges 16 can
be replaced by a folded edge and the bottom folded edge 20 can be
replaced by a bottom sealed edge which may include the insertion of
One or more gussets (not shown).
[0013] The front panel 12, back panel 14, side sealed edges 16, top
sealed edge 18, and bottom folded edge 20 enclose the interior of
the flexible pouch 10. The interior is divided into individual
compartments 22 by one or more divider sealed areas 24. The divider
sealed area 24 generally extends from the bottom folded edge 20 to
the top sealed edge 18 thereby creating a barrier between the
compartments 22 located on either side of the divider sealed area
24.
[0014] The flexible pouch 10 is made from a flexible material,
preferably an extrusion or a laminate composed of sheets of plastic
and aluminum or the like. An outer layer of material may include
preprinted information such as a logo or the like to provide the
customer with information regarding the contents of the pouch. The
pouch 10 may be formed and/or filled using conventionally known
manufacturing techniques such as a horizontal form fill seal
machine with single or multiple lanes, a flat bed premade pouch
machine, a vertical form fill machine, or the like. The pouch 10
includes the front panel 12 and the back panel 14. The front and
back panel 12, 14 can be sealed along the side edges. A gusset may
be inserted along a bottom edge and sealed to the front and back
panels, and a fitment may be inserted along the top edge and sealed
to the front and back panels. The pouch can be filled before the
fitment is inserted or after the fitment is inserted by filling
through the fitment. Sealing is accomplished by applying heat and
pressure to the area to be sealed, ultrasonic welding, or any other
method know those skilled the art.
[0015] The compartments 22 of the flexible pouch 10 can be
configured for specific purposes, for example, a dry goods
compartment 26, a liquid goods compartment 28, a disposal
compartment 30, and a sleeve compartment 32. As shown throughout
the figures, the various compartments can be combined in numerous
configurations.
[0016] The dry goods compartment 26 includes a reclosable strip 34
and a tear-away portion 36. The tear-away portion 36 is located
near the top sealed edge 18. Below the tear-away portion is the
reclosable strip 34. The tear-away portion 36 includes a perforated
strip 38 and a tear notch 40. The tear notch 40 and perforated
strip 38 enable a user to remove, the tear-away portion 36 from the
flexible pouch 10 thereby providing access to the reclosable strip
34.
[0017] The reclosable strip 34 can be opened or closed by
separating the front panel 12 from the back panel 14 thereby
providing access to the interior of the dry goods compartment 26.
The reclosable strip 34 can be a press-to-close type closure, a
reclosable adhesive type closure, a Velcro type closure,
double-sided tape or any other similar type closure known to those
skilled in the art.
[0018] In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and
4, the second compartment includes the tear away portion being
disposed below and spaced apart from a main compartment (i.e. the
tear away portion 36 is positioned below an upper portion of the
main middle compartment--the tear away portion 36 is also spaced
apart from any other compartment).
[0019] If the flexible pouch 10 has three or more compartments 22,
then the dry goods compartment 26 is located as one of the
outermost compartments so that the tear-away portion 36 can be
easily removed. Alternatively, if the dry goods compartment 26 is
located in between two other compartments 22, then the top sealed
edge 18 above the area of the dry goods compartment 26 should be
located and displaced above the top sealed edge 18 of the other
compartments 22 so that access may still be provided to the notch
40 and perforated strip 38.
[0020] The dry goods compartment 26 can be used to store such
things as food like candy or nuts, loose tobacco, chewing tobacco,
bubblegum, a can of tobacco, or any other similar type
material.
[0021] The disposal compartment 30 includes a reclosable fitment 42
and an absorbent material to help capture any liquids deposited
into the disposal compartment 30 such as tobacco spit.
[0022] The fitment 42 is located along the top sealed edge 18
between the front panel 12 and the back panel 14, The fitment 42
includes a canoe portion 44. The canoe 44 is sealed to the front
panel 12 and the back panel 14 with sealing methods described
above.
[0023] The fitment 42 of the disposal compartment 30 also includes
a cap 46. The cap 46 secures to the fitment 42 to prevent ingress
or egress of material from the disposal compartment 30 when the cap
46 is in a closed position.
[0024] The cap 46 further includes a scented pad 48 that is
adhesively secured to the cap 46. The scented pad 48 helps to
reduce or eliminate unpleasant smells or odors that result from the
material disposed within the disposal compartment 30 such as
tobacco spit.
[0025] The absorbent material 50 is disposed within the disposal
compartment 30. The absorbent material 50 helps to absorb and
secure any liquid materials disposed within the disposal
compartment 30. The absorbent material 50 can be a sheet of
absorbent material placed loosely within the disposal compartment
30, a sheet of absorbent material that is secured to the front
panel 12 and/or back panel 14 by means of an adhesive, or a
roll-type absorbent material such as a cotton roll which is secured
to the bottom folded edge 20 of the disposal compartment 30. To
further combat unpleasant odors the absorbent material 50 is
impregnated with a scented oil.
[0026] The liquid goods compartment 28 also includes a fitment 52.
The fitment 52 of the liquid goods compartment 28 is disposed
between and sealed to the front panel 12 and back panel 14 as
discussed above.
[0027] The liquid goods fitment 52 of the liquid goods compartment
28 is located in an angle sealed portion 54. The angle sealed
portion 54 extends generally at a 45 degree angle between the side
sealed edge 16 and top sealed edge 18 of the liquid goods
compartment 28. Alternatively, the liquid goods fitment 52 could be
located along the top sealed edge 18 or the side sealed edge 16
(not shown). The liquid goods compartment 28 can be filled with
water, sports drink, juice, mouthwash, or any other liquid.
[0028] The sleeve compartment 32 includes a partial tear-away
portion 56 and is only enclosed along part of the top edge 18. Once
the partial tear-away portion 56 is removed, the sleeve compartment
32 has an open top which is not reclosable. The partial tear-away
portion 56 is removed by use of the tear notch 40 and perforated
strip 28.
[0029] The partial tear away portion 56 allows the top edge 18 to
be open before the partial tear-away portion 56 r removed so that a
user can see the product contained within the sleeve compartment 32
when the flexible pouch 10 is initially purchased. Thus the
flexible pouch 10 with the sleeve compartment 32 can be coupled
with known products such as a package of gum or cigarette papers so
that the user can see the specific branded good contained within
the sleeve at the time of purchase.
[0030] The flexible pouch 10 also includes a hang hole 58. The hang
hole 58 can be used to hang the flexible pouch 10 on a rack for
sale or can be combined with a clip or hook to secure the flexible
pouch 10 to a user's belt strap, golf bag, etc.
[0031] With reference now to the pouch 10 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the divider sealed area 24 includes a dividing tear strip 60. The
dividing tear strip 60 runs generally though the center of the
divider sealed area 24 from the top sealed edge 18 to a bottom
sealed edge 62. The bottom sealed edge joins the front panel 12 to
the back panel 14, as the pouch 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is formed from
two separate sheets of flexible material further discussed below.
The dividing tear strip 60 allows the compartments 22 to be
separated from each other, thereby create two individual pouches
10, simply by tearing along the dividing tears strip 60. Tearing
the tear strip 60 is made convenient for the user by the included
tear notch 40.
[0032] The pouch 10 also includes a sick tear strip 64 and side
reclosable strip 66. The side tear strip 64 and side reclosable
strip 66 runs from the top sealed edge 18 to a bottom sealed edge
62, thereby providing access items stored in the compartment 22
from the side of the pouch 10. For example, when the compartment 10
is taller than it is wide, locating the side reclosable strip 66 so
than it runs from the top sealed edge 18 to a bottom sealed edge 62
will provide a large opening to access products within the
compartment 22, such as a can of tobacco 68.
[0033] To further enhance the user friendliness of the pouch 10,
the size of the compartment can be designed and limited such then
when the pouch 10 is folded along the divider sealed areas 24 the
width W of the folded pouch 10, as shown in FIG. 6, is small enough
to allow the pouch 10 in the folded form to fit into a standard
shirt or pant pocket. It is understood and appreciated that while
the folded pouch 10 shown in FIG. 6 has two compartments 22,
pouches 10 having more than two compartments 10 can also be
designed the have the limiting width W when folded along their
multiple divider sealed areas 24.
[0034] The pouch 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6 is made from separate sheets
of flexible laminate material. The sheets are larger than the pouch
so that more than one pouch can be made from a single sheet. The
reclosable strip 66 is seemed to the sheets, by way of sealing,
heat treatment, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, integral formation,
or any other method known to those skilled the art. The individual
sheets with reclosable strips 66 are then overlaid, sealed to each
other to form compartments, and cut into individual pouches 10.
Alternatively, the top and bottom sealed areas could scaled after
the individual ouches are cut. Additionally, fitment(s) and
gussets(s) may also be inserted and secured, before or during
sealing operation. Product may be filled into the pouch through the
fitment.
[0035] As shown in the figures, various combinations of the
different compartments 22 can be used in various quantities and
arrangements to create different flexible pouches 10 sharing the
inventive characteristics of the present disclosure. Additional
combinations of the compartments 22 not directly disclosed in the
present embodiments will be apparent to those having skill in the
art.
[0036] The invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples
and embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended
as limitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus,
compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not
intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes
therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. The
scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *