U.S. patent application number 15/324713 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for pouch with flat valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELIEZER EDELSTEIN. Invention is credited to ELIEZER EDELSTEIN.
Application Number | 20170210532 15/324713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55063681 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170210532 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EDELSTEIN; ELIEZER |
July 27, 2017 |
POUCH WITH FLAT VALVE
Abstract
A thin film valve including a flexible thin film front panel, a
flexible thin film rear panel sealed to the front panel along two
opposite sides thereof to form a normally closed, self-sealing thin
film valve having an openable duct, the duct having first and
second open ends, the first end of the duct being openable into a
container sealingly affixed to the valve, and a frangible seal
sealing the second end of the duct between the two sealed side
edges.
Inventors: |
EDELSTEIN; ELIEZER; (HAIFA,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EDELSTEIN; ELIEZER |
HAIFA |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
55063681 |
Appl. No.: |
15/324713 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
July 7, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL2015/050707 |
371 Date: |
January 8, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62021693 |
Jul 7, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/2093 20130101;
B65D 31/145 20130101; A61J 9/005 20130101; B65D 75/5883 20130101;
A61J 9/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 30/24 20060101 B65D030/24 |
Claims
1. A thin film valve comprising: a flexible thin film front panel;
a flexible thin film rear panel sealed to the front panel along two
opposite sides thereof to form a normally closed, self-sealing thin
film valve having an openable duct; the valve being sealingly
affixable to a pouch; the duct having first and second open ends;
the first end of the duct being openable into a pouch sealingly
affixed to the valve; and a frangible seal sealing the second end
of the duct between the two sealed side edges.
2. The valve according to claim 1, further comprising at least one
crease across the duct.
3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve is sealingly
affixable asymmetrically to a pouch.
4. A flexible pouch having at least one sealed edge, the pouch
comprising: a normally closed self-sealing thin film valve
sealingly affixed in said sealed edge; said valve formed of a
flexible thin film front panel and a flexible thin film back panel
sealed on two opposite sides to define an openable duct between
them providing flow communication from outside the pouch to an
internal space in the pouch; at least one edge of the valve inside
the pouch being unsealed, so as to provide flow communication
between the duct and an internal space inside the pouch; a first
sealing line including at least two portions, a first portion
wherein the front and back panels of the pouch are sealed to each
other, and a second portion, collinear with the first portion of
the sealing line, along which the front panel of the valve is
sealed to an inside wall of the front panel of the pouch and the
back panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the sealed
edge of the pouch; and a second sealing line wherein a portion of
only one of the front and back panels of the valve is sealed to an
inside wall of the pouch and the other panel is not sealed to the
pouch.
5. The pouch according to claim 4, wherein the valve further
includes a frangible sealed third edge extending between the two
side edges, sealing the outer opening of the duct and the
valve.
6. The pouch according to claim 4, wherein the valve is creased in
at least one place across the duct, to provide an improved seal for
the duct, thus preventing leakage through the duct.
7. The pouch according to claim 4, wherein one of said front panel
and said back panel of the valve is longer than the other and both
extend beyond the sealed edge of the pouch.
8. The pouch according to claim 4, including a plurality of said
thin film flexible valves sealed in a single pouch.
9. The pouch according to claim 4, including at least two
individual internal compartments contained within the pouch and
separated by an additional seal inside the pouch.
10. The pouch according to claim 9, further comprising a normally
closed thin film valve in each said internal compartment.
11. The pouch according to claim 10, wherein said additional seal
is configured to be broken so as to allow flow communication
between adjacent internal compartments.
12. A method of forming a pouch having a sealed edge, the method
comprising: sealingly affixing a normally closed self-sealing thin
film valve in said sealed edge; said valve formed of a flexible
thin film front panel and a flexible thin film back panel sealed on
two opposite sides to define an openable duct between them
providing flow communication from outside the pouch to an internal
space in the pouch; at least one edge of the valve inside the pouch
being unsealed, so as to provide flow communication between the
duct and an internal space inside the pouch; sealing said pouch and
said valve along a first sealing line including at least two
portions, a first portion wherein the front and back panels of the
pouch are sealed to each other, and a second portion, collinear
with the first portion of the sealing line, along which the front
panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the front panel
of the pouch and the back panel of the valve is sealed to an inside
wall of the sealed edge of the pouch; and sealing said pouch and
said valve along a second sealing line wherein a portion of only
one of the front and back panels of the valve is sealed to an
inside wall of the pouch and the other panel is not sealed to the
pouch.
13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: forming
at least one internal seal in said plastic pouch, thereby creating
at least two individual internal compartments in the pouch.
14. A container having a frangible top opening, the container
comprising: a flexible pouch sealingly coupled to the top opening;
a normally closed, self-sealing thin film valve having an openable
duct sealingly affixed to the pouch, the valve including a flexible
thin film front panel; a flexible thin film rear panel sealed to
the front panel along two opposite sides thereof to form the duct;
the duct having first and second open ends; the first end of the
duct being openable into the pouch; at least one edge of the pouch
inside the container being unsealed, so as to permit flow
communication between the duct and an internal space inside the
container.
15. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the valve is sealingly
affixable asymmetrically to a pouch.
16. The pouch according to claim 5, wherein the valve is creased in
at least one place across the duct, to provide an improved seal for
the duct, thus preventing leakage through the duct.
17. The pouch according to claim 5, wherein one of said front panel
and said back panel of the valve is longer than the other and both
extend beyond the sealed edge of the pouch.
18. The pouch according to claim 5, including a plurality of said
thin film flexible valves sealed in a single pouch.
19. The pouch according to claim 5, including at least two
individual internal compartments contained within the pouch and
separated by an additional seal inside the pouch.
20. The pouch according to claim 19, further comprising a normally
closed thin film valve in each said internal compartment.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application No. 62/021,693, filed Jul. 7,
2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to plastic film bags or
pouches, in general, and, in particular, to a pouch having a flat
valve for use in food and industrial packaging and
entertainment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Commercial packaging made from flexible plastic film
material is known in the industry. Most of the soft packaging of
liquids in so-called "plastic bags" either cannot be sealed after
opening, or requires an additional cover in order to be closed.
This means that, once the packaging is opened, the product must be
consumed at one sitting, or a more expensive container must be
purchased, e.g., a bottle, designed for multi-use, in order to
store the product for later use. For someone traveling, hiking or
away from home, larger containers are not always practical or
financially feasible.
[0004] The use of valves in food packaging to stop or check the
flow of a gas or liquid is known. These are referred to as "check
valves" and normally allow fluid (liquid or gas) to flow through it
in only one direction. Check valves are often made of rubber, film
or plastic materials, and may be used to allow a suction device to
be easily inserted to remove air from the packaging after filling,
to create an air-tight seal.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a pouch enabling easy
filling and removal of liquid, gas or solids within a package that
can be closed and sealed to temporarily save the contents for
another time, if the contents are not consumed at one sitting.
Furthermore, it would be desirable if the pouch could be formed and
produced by conventional plastic bag, blown film or extrusion
technologies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to an improved, inexpensive,
flexible, self-sealing thin film valve that can easily be opened
and easily be closed many times. This valve is configured and
adapted to be coupled to container, e.g., a plastic bag or pouch or
a can, in any conventional manner. The self-sealing, multi-use film
valve has a front panel and a back panel. The valve is sealed to
the pouch between the front and back panels of the pouch, typically
along a sealed edge of the pouch. The valves panels are sealed to
each other along their two side edges and are open at both ends.
When extra sealing is required for a long time, after filling the
pouch, the valve is sealed along its outer edge that extends to or
beyond the sealing line of the valve to the pouch. The edge of the
valve inside the pouch remains open and in flow communication with
the internal space. The valve and pouch are opened by opening the
sealed outer edge.
[0007] The front and back panels of the valve are sealed to each
other on their two side edges, either parallel to one another or at
an angle to one another, to define the duct. The duct can be opened
by insertion of a separator into the duct which opens the valve,
for example, a straw, a needle, a funnel or any other filling or
removal device. When the duct is opened, liquids, gases, powders or
solids can be inserted or removed from the internal space of the
pouch. The normal state of the valve is closed, due to the film
material and the geometry of the valve and due to the pressure
exerted on the front and back panel of the valve by a material in
the pouch surrounding the valve. In this way, a pouch holding a
liquid or other substance can be closed, and the contents saved for
later consumption without leakage from the pouch.
[0008] In addition, in order to achieve better sealing, the valve
can be sealed to the pouch in an asymmetric manner. One side of the
valve is connected to the pouch in two parallel lines, collinear
with the sealing lines of the pouch, and on the other side, only
along one line, or any other asymmetric shape of the sealing that
will cause the valve to fold and improve its closing.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the film valve is
included as part of a cover of a container, such as a soft drink
can. This allows easy opening and closing of the valve to access
the substance in the container, via a straw or any tube that
separates the panels of the valve, without having to continually
maintain the can open after opening, as happens today.
[0010] In another aspect, multiple valves are included within a
single flexible pouch, allowing one to share the contents of the
pouch with another person at the same time.
[0011] In another aspect, separate compartments are defined within
each pouch, as by means of an internal seal formed by heat welding.
The separate compartments allow solids to be kept separate from
liquids until a user is ready to consume them, or in order to allow
for maximum freshness before ingredients within the pouch are mixed
together. Separate compartments in combination with multiple valves
allow the user to customize the material he wants to dispense from
the pouch. One non-limiting example is a pouch of iced coffee,
having a separate compartment with extra sugar which one can choose
to open or not open, based upon which valve is chosen to use.
[0012] It is a feature of some embodiments of the invention that
the production of the pouch with the valve is by means of a
technology conventionally used for manufacturing plastic bags and
pouches, such as blown film, extrusion, vacuum forming and plastic
welding technologies.
[0013] There is thus provided, according to the present invention,
a thin film valve including a flexible thin film front panel, a
flexible thin film rear panel sealed to the front panel along two
opposite sides thereof to form a normally closed, self-sealing thin
film valve having an openable duct, the valve being sealingly
affixable to a pouch. The duct has first and second open ends, the
first end of the duct being openable into a pouch sealingly affixed
to the valve and a frangible seal sealing the second end of the
duct between the two sealed side edges.
[0014] There is also provided, according to the invention, a
flexible pouch having at least one sealed edge, the pouch including
a normally closed self-sealing thin film valve sealingly affixed in
the sealed edge, the valve formed of a flexible thin film front
panel and a flexible thin film back panel sealed on two opposite
sides to define an openable duct between them providing flow
communication from outside the pouch to an internal space in the
pouch. At least one edge of the valve inside the pouch is unsealed,
so as to provide flow communication between the duct and an
internal space inside the pouch. A first sealing line seals the
valve to the pouch including at least two portions, a first portion
wherein the front and back panels of the pouch are sealed to each
other, and a second portion, collinear with the first portion of
the sealing line, along which the front panel of the valve is
sealed to an inside wall of the front panel of the pouch and the
back panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the sealed
edge of the pouch. The valve and pouch are also sealed by a second
sealing line wherein a portion of only one of the front and back
panels of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the pouch and
the other panel is not sealed to the pouch.
[0015] There is further provided, according to the invention, a
method of forming a pouch having a sealed edge, the method
including sealingly affixing a normally closed self-sealing thin
film valve in the sealed edge, the valve formed of a flexible thin
film front panel and a flexible thin film back panel sealed on two
opposite sides to define an openable duct between them providing
flow communication from outside the pouch to an internal space in
the pouch, at least one edge of the valve inside the pouch being
unsealed, so as to provide flow communication between the duct and
an internal space inside the pouch, sealing the pouch and the valve
along a first sealing line including at least two portions, a first
portion wherein the front and back panels of the pouch are sealed
to each other, and a second portion, collinear with the first
portion of the sealing line, along which the front panel of the
valve is sealed to an inside wall of the front panel of the pouch
and the back panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the
sealed edge of the pouch, and sealing the pouch and the valve along
a second sealing line wherein a portion of only one of the front
and back panels of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the
pouch and the other panel is not sealed to the pouch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will be further understood and
appreciated from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0017] FIGS. 1a to 1d are schematic plan view, front sectional
view, perspective view and side sectional illustrations,
respectively, of a flexible film pouch with a flat film valve,
constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 1e to 1g are schematic front sectional, perspective
and side sectional illustrations, respectively, of a pouch
according to the invention with a straw inserted through the
valve;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a valve in a
pouch according to the invention, showing equal pressure on the
front and back panels of the valve exerted by liquid or gas in a
pouch;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a pouch with a valve
according to other embodiments of the invention with folds to
prevent leakage, or air from entering the pouch;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a valve installed in a
beverage can, according to further embodiments of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a valve in a disposable baby's feeding bottle,
constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of valves
in one flexible pouch, according to embodiments of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 7a is a schematic perspective illustration of a portion
of a flexible pouch with multiple valves and multiple pouches,
according to other embodiments of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 7b is a schematic sectional illustration of the
flexible bag of FIG. 7a with a straw inserted in one valve and
opening an internal compartment;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a pouch according to
the invention showing the valve sealed on three sides;
[0027] FIGS. 9a and 9b are schematic plan view and side sectional
illustrations of a pouch according to further embodiments of the
invention, with symmetric front and back welding of the valve to
the pouch;
[0028] FIGS. 10a to 10c are schematic front plan view, rear plan
view and side sectional illustrations of a pouch according to
further embodiments of the invention, with asymmetric front and
back welding of the valve to the pouch along the entire width of
the valve;
[0029] FIGS. 10d and 10e are front and side view illustrations of a
pouch according to further embodiments of the invention, with
asymmetric front and back welding of the valve to the pouch along
the entire width of the valve, showing bending of the valve under
pressure;
[0030] FIGS. 11a and 11b are schematic front and rear illustrations
of a pouch according to further embodiments of the invention, with
asymmetric front and back welding of the valve to the pouch along a
partial width of the valve; and
[0031] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a pouch according to
another embodiment of the invention, with front and back panels of
different lengths.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention relates to an improved, inexpensive,
flexible, self-sealing thin film valve that can easily be opened
and easily be closed many times. This valve is configured and
adapted to be coupled to container, e.g., a plastic bag or pouch or
a can, in any conventional manner. The thin film valve includes a
flexible thin film front panel, a flexible thin film rear panel
sealed to the front panel along two opposite sides thereof to form
a normally closed, self-sealing thin film valve having an openable
duct, the duct having first and second open ends, the first end of
the duct being openable into a container sealingly affixed to the
valve, and a frangible seal sealing the second end of the duct
between the two sealed side edges. One option is to form a plastic
pouch using the blown film extrusion technology of manufacturing
conventional plastic (polyethylene) bags. The pouch is made to
contain liquids, semi-liquids, powders and solids. The flat film
valve defines a duct that can be opened to add substances to the
pouch, for example, water, or to dispense material from the pouch.
The normal state of the duct is closed, due to the geometry and the
material of the valve and due to pressure inside the pouch.
Preferably, the valve is heat welded, or affixed in any other
manner, such as sewing, gluing, etc., in a seam of the plastic
pouch or to the top wall of a can.
[0033] The valve is a flexible, flat, thin polymeric foils barrier
assembly formed of two flexible plastic foils, a front and back
panel, sealed or welded on two opposite side edges to define a duct
between them. The valve is also sealed or welded on a third edge
between the two side edges, sealing the outer opening of the duct
and the valve. The valve remains open along at least one edge
thereof inside the pouch, so as to permit flow communication
between the duct and an internal space inside the pouch. The valve
is sealed to and between the front and back panels of the pouch. In
this way, the filled plastic pouch remains hermetically sealed
until the outer edge seal is torn or removed, thereby preventing
inadvertent dispensing of the contents and preventing the ingress
of dirt or bacteria into the interior space of the pouch. Material
inside the pouch applies pressure on the front and back of the flat
valve, helping to maintain the duct closed. For purposes of the
present invention, "material" includes any liquid, gas, powder or
other substance stored in the pouch for later use. The two side
edges of the valve may be sealed together parallel to one another
or at an angle to one another. Preferably, the valve is bent or
creased in at least one place, to provide an improved seal for the
valve, thus preventing leakage through the duct. The duct can be
opened by inserting a straw, a needle, a funnel or any other
filling apparatus between the front and the back panel of the
valve. When the duct is opened, liquids, gases, powders or solids
can be inserted into or removed from the interior of the pouch. The
normal state of the valve is closed, due to the film material of
which the valve is formed and its geometry, and due to the pressure
of the material in the pouch surrounding the valve, which applies
pressure to both the front and back panels of the valve's film.
Another way to improve the sealing of the valve is by asymmetrical
attachment of the valve to the pouch, so that when pressure is
applied in the pouch, the valve bends by itself.
[0034] Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting. For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from the
drawings.
[0035] FIGS. 1-12 of the drawings illustrate various film valves
10, 40, 50 and 60 used in conjunction with a pouch or bag made from
flexible material. These pouches are openable and re-sealable
pouches defining an internal space for holding food and/or drink
products. FIG. 4 illustrates a valve used in conjunction with a
can. The pouches 10, 40, 50 and 60 are suitable for packaging and
dispensing a liquid, gas, powders and solids suitable for industry
use or food consumption. Used herein, "liquid" means any product
that is a flowable non-solid product including but not limited to,
aqueous and non-aqueous solutions, solutions having a determinable
viscosity, emulsions, pastes, gels and dispersions.
[0036] The panels of the pouch include a flexible film material,
for example, low density polyethylene, nylon, polyester,
polyurethane, and laminates. It is possible that either the front
or back panel (or both) of the pouch is made at least in part from
a flexible, transparent material, thus allowing the interior space
of the pouch and its contents to be visually observable through at
least a portion of the front or back panel.
[0037] According to the invention, each pouch has at least one thin
flexible valve which prevents the contents within the pouch from
being released inadvertently. The valve is opened by insertion of a
straw, a needle, a funnel or any other filling apparatus into the
valve. Once the valve is open, material can be added to the pouch
or material within the pouch can be removed from the pouch via the
straw or other opening device, or poured out through the open
valve.
[0038] FIGS. 1a to 1d are schematic plan view, front sectional
view, perspective view and side sectional schematic illustrations,
respectively of a flexible pouch 10, according to embodiments of
the invention, having a flat film valve 12 disposed in the pouch.
The valve 12 consists of a front panel 11 and a back panel 13. The
front and back panels can be of the same length or one can be
longer than the other. The front and back panels are connected, as
by heat welding, along two side edges, here illustrated as
non-parallel edges 15 and 17, defining a normally closed duct 16
therebetween. It will be appreciated that the seal does not
necessarily have to be non-parallel to the edges. Rather, the seal
may be parallel or may be angled, for example to form a "V", where
the top and bottom of the valve remain open, forming the duct.
Valve 12 is also sealed into the pouch along a sealing line
adjacent the third edge at the edge of the pouch, extending between
side edges 15 and 17, by a frangible seal. At least one edge inside
the pouch 10, is not sealed, permitting flow communication between
the duct 16 and the interior of pouch 10. This can be seen more
clearly in FIG. 8, described in detail below.
[0039] The duct 16 is opened by insertion of a straw, needle,
funnel or any other suitable filling device 21 into duct 16,
between the front and rear panels. This can be seen, for example,
in FIGS. 1e to 1g, schematic perspective, front sectional, and side
sectional illustrations, respectively, of pouch 10 with a straw
inserted through the valve.
[0040] Once the valve is open, material can be added to the
contents of the pouch or material within the pouch can be removed
from the pouch via the straw or filling device, or poured out
through the open valve. When the straw or other filling device is
removed, the valve 12 closes. Thus, under pressure of the material
inside the pouch, the sealing of the valve is tightened, as shown
by the arrows in FIG. 2. Preferably, the valve is also manually
pressed to ensure sealing closure, although this is not
required.
[0041] The valve is placed at the edge of the pouch, between the
front and rear panels of the pouch 10, before it is sealed. The
pouch is sealed 14 along its open edge, sealing the valve in place.
A protective material is placed in the duct 16 in the valve during
heat sealing, as is known in the industry, to prevent the duct from
being sealed inadvertently during manufacture of the pouch.
Alternatively, the valve can be welded or sealed asymmetrically, as
described in detail with regard to FIGS. 10a and 10b.
Alternatively, or in addition, creases can be provided across the
valve to improve sealing, as described in detail with regard to
FIG. 3.
[0042] To further improve the performance of the valve of the
present invention, preferably one or more creases or folds are
created across the valve 18 in at least one, but preferably two or
more locations along the length of the valve 18. FIG. 3 is a cross
sectional view of a film valve with several folds. The creases or
folds close the duct at those locations, thereby preventing leakage
through the valve, once it has been unsealed. The folds 18 in FIG.
3 are parallel to one another. In other embodiments, the folds 18
are at various angles, for example, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, or 45
degrees from one another. Other angles of the creases relative to
one another and relative to the edges of the pouch are possible,
depending on the material in the pouch and its viscosity. Here,
too, the front and back panels can be of the same length or one can
be longer than the other. In this embodiment, too, the valve can be
welded or sealed asymmetrically, as described in detail with regard
to FIGS. 10a and 10b. If desired, an external edge of the valve may
be sealed by means of a frangible seal, as described below.
[0043] In another embodiment, a pouch having a film valve 32 can be
incorporated in a can 30, such as a beverage can, as seen in FIG.
4. This allows re-sealing of the can if only a portion of the
contents have been consumed, so that they will not spill out until
the user inserts a straw. In addition, it permits liquids and other
substances to be easily refilled in a can, if desired. Once the
straw or tubing is removed, the valve 32 closes to prevent liquid
from spilling out.
[0044] According to some embodiments of the invention, the pouch is
affixed to the top wall of the can with the valve disposed beneath
the breakaway portion of the lid. In this way, when the breakaway
portion of the lid is removed and the can is opened, the external,
upper part of the valve is exposed, providing access to the duct in
the valve for inserting a straw into the can. It will be
appreciated that, in this embodiment, the pouch is open at its
bottom end inside the can. Here, too, the front and back panels can
be of the same length or one can be longer than the other.
Alternatively, or in addition, creases can be provided across the
valve to improve sealing, as described in detail with regard to
FIG. 3.
[0045] The pouch of the present invention can be used, as well, as
a disposable aseptic baby's bottle 40, where the nipple 47 is part
of the pouch or tube, as seen in FIG. 5. Nursing mothers can
collect their milk aseptically in the pouch, and then later, from
the same pouch, feed their babies. Alternatively, the disposable
baby bottle can be distributed with formula in it. The disposable
baby bottle pouches or tubes can be distributed as single use
portions, with one only needing to add water through the film
valve. If desired, air can enter into the bottle through the valve
to balance the pressure inside and prevent babies' stomach gas
pain.
[0046] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a pouch 50 with multiple valves
12. This allows not only for larger portions to be packaged, but
allows one the option of sharing their beverage with a friend.
Alternatively, one can drink their beverage from a straw inserted
in one of the valves, while the other one is being used to add
additional substance, flavors, fragrances, etc., to the drink. The
valves in this embodiment can have front and back panels of the
same length or one can be longer than the other. The valves can be
welded or sealed symmetrically or asymmetrically, as described in
detail with regard to FIGS. 9a and 10a. Alternatively, or in
addition, creases can be provided across one or more of the valves,
to improve sealing, as described in detail with regard to FIG. 3.
One or more of the valves may be provided with a frangible seal at
their external end, as described below.
[0047] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a pouch 60 with both multiple
valves 62, and multiple internal compartments 64 contained within
the pouch 60. Compartments 64 are separated via an additional seal
63 creating the individual internal compartments. A liquid, gel,
powder or solid in the pouch surrounding the value applies pressure
to both front and back of the valve, thereby keeping the valve
sealed. Preferably, each internal compartment has a valve providing
access thereto, although this is not required. In this way, each
internal compartment can be filled or emptied separately after
manufacture, if desired. Here, too, the front and back panels can
be of the same length or one can be longer than the other.
Alternatively, the valves can be welded or sealed asymmetrically,
as described in detail with regard to FIGS. 10a and 10b.
Alternatively, or in addition, creases can be provided across the
valves to improve sealing, as described in detail with regard to
FIG. 3. If desired, one or more of the valves may be provided with
a frangible seal at their external end, as described below.
[0048] If it is desired to mix the contents of two of the internal
compartments 64, a straw or tube 66 is inserted through one of the
valves 62, as shown in FIG. 7b, breaking through the internal seal
63. This opens the inner compartment and allows the contents
contained within it to fall through to and mix with the contents of
the adjacent compartment. The user may shake, or knead the contents
together, and then drink, freeze, heat, bake, or microwave, as
needed.
[0049] Alternatively, a pouch 60 may contain a gas, liquid, power,
or other substance and, based upon which valve the user selects,
the user can enhance his or her enjoyment of the substance within
the pouch by either choosing to use the contents within the smaller
compartment or not. For example, if one compartment of the pouch
contains iced coffee, and a separate compartment contains extra
sugar, one can select to use the extra sugar or not, based upon
which valve they choose.
[0050] If there are two people sharing the same pouch, and if they
have different taste preferences, they can both enjoy it as they
like it. The first one drinks the iced coffee as is. Watching
through the transparent window of the pouch, they know when they
have reached the half way mark and can switch. The second person
then proceeds to insert his straw through the valve with the extra
sugar, opens the smaller compartment with the straw, and mixes the
coffee.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown in greater detail a
pouch 70 according to the invention with a valve 72 sealed on three
sides. It will be appreciated that each of the examples described
in this application is also sealed on three sides, in this manner.
As can be seen, the valve 72 includes two elongate side walls 74
connecting the front panel to the back panel, an external end wall
76 extending outwards from the edge of the pouch 70, and an
internal end wall 78 inside the pouch. After filling the pouch,
preferably during manufacture, external end wall 76 is also sealed,
as by heat sealing, or in any other fashion. This will maintain the
pouch aseptic for a long time, during storage and
transportation.
[0052] When a user wishes to insert additional material, mix
material in internal compartments, or remove contents from the
pouch, the frangible sealed external end wall 76 of the valve 72 is
cut or torn off, thereby permitting opening of duct 75 as described
above. Tear indicators 79 and/or a frangible end portion may be
provided for ease of removing the end wall of the valve.
[0053] In some embodiments, the valve is connected to the pouch
symmetrically, as seen in FIGS. 9a and 9b. In the illustrated
embodiment, the outer edge of pouch 80 is sealed to itself along
two lines, 84 and 86, displaced from one another, from both side
edges of the valve 82 to the side edges of the pouch. Similarly,
the valve is sealed or welded collinearly to the pouch along two
sealing lines, 84' and 86'. As seen in FIG. 9b, along both lines
84' and 86', the valve is welded or otherwise sealed to the pouch
on both front and back of the valve, i.e., the front panel of the
valve is welded to the inside wall of the front panel of the pouch
and the back panel of the valve is welded to the inside wall of the
back panel of the pouch.
[0054] As described above, the valve is closed by the pressure
exerted on the front and back panels of the valve. However, if a
tiny gap is formed between the panels of the valve when the straw
is removed, leakage might occur through the gap of the valve. To
create the required increase of the pressure on the panels relative
to the pressure in the gap to ensure complete closing of the valve,
the valve is welded to the pouch in an asymmetric fashion. This
asymmetry causes the valve to bend, thereby preventing flow through
the duct and closing the valve completely. FIGS. 10a to 10c are
schematic front, rear and side sectional illustrations of a pouch
90 with asymmetric welding of the valve 92. It should be noted that
this type of welding can also be utilized in all the other
exemplary valves described in this application. Pouch 90 is a
flexible pouch having at least one sealed edge, with a normally
closed self-sealing thin film valve sealingly affixed in the sealed
edge. As described above, the valve is formed of a flexible thin
film front panel and a flexible thin film back panel sealed on two
opposite sides to define an openable duct between them providing
flow communication from outside the pouch to an internal space in
the pouch. At least one edge of the valve inside the pouch is
unsealed so as to provide flow communication between the duct and
the internal space inside the pouch. The valve is joined to the
pouch by a first sealing line 94, 94' including at least two
portions, a first portion 94 wherein the front and back panels of
the pouch are sealed to each other, and a second portion 94',
collinear with the first portion of the sealing line, along which
the front panel of the valve is sealed to an inside wall of the
front panel of the pouch and the back panel of the valve is sealed
to an inside wall of the sealed edge of the pouch. The valve is
also joined to the pouch by a second sealing line 96, 96' spaced
from first sealing line 94, 94', wherein a portion of only one of
the front and back panels of the valve is sealed to an inside wall
of the pouch and the other panel is not sealed to the pouch 98. The
external welding lines 94', of the valve to the pouch on both front
and back must be continuous, thus sealing the pouch with the valve,
while on the internal line 96', the valve is welded to the pouch
only on a portion of one line. The one sided welding of the valve
to the pouch on the inner line of the pouch welding, causes the
valve to bend and to create the extra force in the valve that helps
the pressure on the walls to overcome the pressure in the gap. The
bending of the valve ensures the sealing of the duct of the valve
and the pouch. FIGS. 10d and 10e are illustrations of a valve 82
asymmetrically welded to the pouch 80 when pressure is applied.
[0055] It will be appreciated that weld 96' along the pouch is
optional but not necessary. Weld 96', sealing the panel of the
pouch to the panel of the valve along the sealed line, can be of
any desired length--all along the width of the valve, or along only
a small portion of the width of the valve, as shown at numeral 99
in FIGS. 11a and 11b, respective front and rear views of a pouch
according to alternative embodiments of the invention. This option
can also be incorporated into any of the embodiments of FIGS. 1a to
8. FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a pouch 100 according to
other embodiments of the invention. In this embodiment, the front
panel 104 and the back panel 106 of the valve 102 are of different
lengths. This permits a user to pull the longer panel in order to
facilitate opening the duct 108 to insert a straw or other device
of opening the valve. It will be appreciated that valves having
front and back panels of different lengths can be incorporated into
any one of the pouches described above. It will further be
appreciated that, while it is preferable that the valve extend
beyond the sealing line with the pouch, as it is easier to insert a
separator and open the valve, alternatively, the valve can extend
only up to the sealing line sealing the valve to the pouch.
[0056] It will be appreciated that it is a feature of the invention
that at least a portion of the two foil panels of the valve are in
sealing engagement with each other so as to close the duct, thereby
sealing the pouch. There is no space between the panels of the
valve except when a separator is inserted between them, as
described in each of the embodiments above.
[0057] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
variations, modifications and other applications of the invention
may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is
not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of
example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims
which follow.
* * * * *