US3171581A

US3171581A - Dispensing flexible bag

Info

Publication number: US3171581A
Application number: US320048A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kugler Emanuel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-10-30
Filing date: 1963-10-30
Publication date: 1965-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-02

Description

March 2, 1965 E. KUGLER DISPENSING FLEXIBLE BAG Filed 001;. 30, 1965 INVENTOR.

EMANUEL KUGLER AT TORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,171,581 DISPENSING FLEXIBLE BAG Emanuel Kugler, 124 Richmond Place, Lawrence, Long Island, NY. Filed Oct. 30, 1963, Ser. N 320,048 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-53) This invention relates generally to an improved flexible package dispensing device, relates particularly to a flexible package with an integral straw or sipper, and relates especially to a drinking straw arrangement within a flexible container.

It has long been customary to utilize various types of flexible sheet material packages for protectively packaging commodities of many types. The use of such flexible packages for liquids such as beverages is presently limited. Although beverages may be conveniently packaged in flexible containers, difliculties are encountered with dispensing the same. For example, if a beverage for human consumption is packaged in the usual flexible container, the beverage may be extracted from the container only by puncturing a hole through at least one of the walls thereof. Once a wall is punctured, however, the package is destroyed and all of the beverage must be immediately extracted from the same. Additionally, it will not be possible to pour the contents of the flexible package through an ordinary opening directly into the mouth of the person drinking the same. Rather, it will be necessary to pour the beverage from the flexible package into a drinking glass or the like prior to consumption. Thus, although at times liquids are packaged in flexible containers, such use is limited gen erally to industrial usages, or a use where the entire liquid contents of the package must desirably be placed in another rigid container for use.

It is a cardinal object of this invention, therefore, to provide a flexible package or the like that may be utilized to dispense a liquid, such as drinking beverages, or the like, in a controlled manner.

Another primary object of the invention set forth herein is a flexible package with a drinking straw or sipper contained as an integral part thereof.

A further purpose and accomplishment of the product of this invention is the provision of an economical flexible package that will permit a portion of the fluid contained therein to be dispensed, without necessitating the entire contents to be removed.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a flexible package as above-described that will dispense beverages or the like from within, without the necessity of permitting air or other substance to enter the container to replace the portion of the fluid removed. This will insure the non-spoilage of the fluid contents even though the package is stored for a considerable period of time after initial use.

An ancillary object and accomplishment hereof is to provide a drinking straw or sipper that will automatically extend from the flexible container, when the said container is opened.

A further important purpose of the instant invention is the provision of a flexible package with the advantages above-described that may be readily and economically mass-produced.

With these objects in view, the invention consists of the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will appear in the following specification and recited in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the various figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strip of material which may be utilized to form one embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. I

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of this first embodiment of the instant invention prior to the opening of the same to dispense the fluid contents therein.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 but showing the package in its operative position wherein the fluid contained therein is being dispensed.

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second alternate embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 but showing the flexible package in its operative position-wherein a fluid contained therein is being dispensed.

FIG. 9 is a fractional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a view taken substantially along line 1010 of FIG. 7. I

FIG. 11 is a reduced front elevational view of another embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-42 of FIG. 11. 1

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 12, but showing still another embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings, and especially to FIGS. 1 through 6 inclusive, there is shown one preferred embodiment of the instant device.

It is to be noted that the instant invention will be functionable in conjunction with any of the many known types of flexible packages. Such packages will generally consist of a pair of walls joined together at their marginal edges either directly or by means of secondary joining members such as gussets or the like. Additionally, such flexible packages may be fabricated of a wide variety of materials such as for example, any of the class of thermoplastics, aluminum, treated fabric or paper, or the like.

There is shown in the drawings, however, and especially in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive, a flexible package 10 having a pair of overlying Walls 11 and 12 joined together along their four marginal edges. If a material such as polyethylene is utilized in the fabrication of the package, the terminal edges of the container may be heat-sealed as illustrated. At least two of the edges of the container will be additionally joined together by pleats or

gussets

14 and 15. Such pleats or gussets are commonly utilized in the flexible packaging art as to provide an expanding end wall of a container or the like. Set forth herein is an entirely unique and unobvious use of the said pleats or

gussets

14 and 15 wherein the said pleats or gussets will function as a passage for the ejection of the fluid or the like within the said flexible package. The lower portion of one of the pleats or gussets 14 will be removed as shown in the drawings or severed to provide access to the passage created by the heat-sealing of the extending edges of the

said gussets

14 and 15.

As will be seen especially in FIG. 5 of the drawings, a heat seal line 16 will be provided in parallel juxtaposition to the interior edge of one of the gussets 15. The said heat seal line will extend from the edge of the container opposite the pleats or gussets 14 across the container at least as far as the interior edge of the said pleats or gussets 14. Between the interior edge 18 of the gusset 15 and the parallel heat seal line 16, will be provided a line of perforations 19 to permit the ready tearing of the material comprising the container along the said line of perforations 19. The said line of perforations 19 will extend laterally across the container but will terminate just short of the interior edge 20 of the side gusset 14.

Additionally, a weakened or scored line 21 is provided at one edge of the top gusset 15. This said weakened or scored line 21 should not extend through the thicknesses of the material to permit fluid to escape, except when the material is torn along the said line 21 as shown in FIG. and described hereinafter.

The operation of this first embodiment of the invention may now be described.

The container will be fabricated from material as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and when assembled prior to usage will appear as in FIGS 3 and 4. The assembled package of FIGS. 3 and 4 will contain a fluid or other pourable material, such as a drinking beverage. Such a package will be exceptionally economical, easy to fill and convenient to transport. Additionally, in that all of the edges of the said container are sealed as by heat or.

the like, the package will be eminently safe and will not be subject to destruction as is the more conventional glass container.

When it is desired to dispense and consume the beverage or the like within the flexible package It the user thereof will tear the material along the line of perforations 19 and the scored line 21-. Thus, the flexible package when being utilized for dispensing purposes, will appear as in FIGS. 5 and 6. The corner portion 22 may be thrown away. If desired, however, the said corner portion 22 may be left attached to the balance of the flexible package 10 by a thin bridge of material so as to prevent the said small portion 22 from falling back within the said container. If the material in the package 10 is a fluid for'drinking, the tubular portion A of the container which is the portion above the line of perforations 19, may be inserted directly into the mouth of the person drinking the same much as would be a conventional drinking straw. The person drinking would then gently squeeze together the side walls 11 and 12 of the package 10 causing the liquid within the main storage body B of the container to be dispensed as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, through the opening at the bottom of the gusset 14 through the passage comprised of the gusset 1 4 and into the passage comprised of the gusset 15 and finally out the open end :24 of the portion A into the mouth of the person drinking.

Thus, it will be obvious that the structure provided hereinabove, will accomplish all of the objects previously set forth and others. An economical container is provided that will have an advantage never before obtainable, to wit, .the provision of an integral drinking straw. Of course, additional advantages accrue as a result of the structure described. For example, the nature of this squeeze-.type. container is such that the fluid material therewithi-n is dispensed by urging together and collapsing the overlying walls 11 and 12. Therefore, it is not necessary' to provide an air opening into the container to displace the liquid ejected therefrom, as in the case of the conventional glass 'or metal containers. The balance of the fluid then, left'in the container 10 after a portion thereof has been'consum'ed, may be maintained sanitary in that contaminating air has not been permitted to enter the same.

Moreover, the person consuming the beveragewill not take in air along with the fluid providing a more desirable drinking effect. V e The unique construction provided herein will have many applications. For example, the portion A may be utilized as a nozzle as for example, in dispensing a garden spray, or a fire extinguishing compound. ,The user will be able to easily open the container and eject the product merely by sequeezing the sides thereof, and di- Further, as was mentioned hereinabove, the upper porrect the dispensed product merely by grasping the portion A and pointing the same in the desired direction.

It is to be understood, however, that this first described embodiment of the invent-ion is set forth merely for exemplary purposes and that many variations and combinations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept herein. For example, there is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 an alternate embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 which is a front elevational view of this alternate embodiment discloses the flexible package in its assembled and filled condition, ready for use. As in the prior embodiment, there is shown a conventional flexible package 100 although flexible packages of any of the known types may in fact be utilized.

A pair of perpendicular interior

heat seal lines

118 and 120 will be provided to define an interior passage for conducting the fluid packaged within the container as Will be explained and shown in detail in FIG. 8.

Another line of heat seal is disposed in juxtaposition and parallel to the heat seal line 12 0. The heat seal lines immediately hereinabove described will serve to join the overlying walls 111 and 112 of the container in a waterproof manner. Positioned between the heat seal lines 116 and 120will be a line of perforations 119. Additionally, a weakened or scored line 121 is positioned at one corner of the flexible package 160. The operation of this second embodiment of the invention will now be apparent.

The filled contained will be'seen in FIG. 7. When the container is to be utilized as for the direct dispensing of a beverage to a consumer, the portion of the bag will'be torn along the line of perforations 119 as shown in FIG. 8, and the corner will be removed as shown in that figure by tearing along the weakened or scored lines 121. The

a heat seal lines 118 and 12A provide a passage along the marginal edges of the flexible package 1% to conduct the beverage as shown by the arrows in FIG. 8 outward from the open end 124 thereof. The said open end 124 may be placed directly in the mouth of the person drinking the beverage thereby providing a straw or sip-per.

tion of the container may be used as a hose or the like to direct the action of the fluid being dispensed.

Of course it will be realized that as before, many variations are posisble within the scope of this second embodiment of the device. The heat seal lines may be positioned to describe a passage for the dispensing of the fluid along any portion of the containen'in addition to the portion shown and described herein.

The essential feature of the invention, however, is the heat seal portion tov describe a conducting passage for v the said dispensing of the fluid.

It is to be understood, however, that for improved op eration of any of the embodiments of this invention, a rigid straw or sipper may be inserted within the described passageor compartment in the bag to insure that the said passage remains open for conveying the beverage or other fluid from the interior of the package.

For example, there is shown in FIG. i l a second alternate embodiment of the instant invention. This illustrated embodiment is formed in conjunction with a seamed bag. Such a bag is generally formed from a single strip of web material having a single center or side seam where: the material will be folded back on itself to form the sec-- ond side of the bag. As will be shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,, the bag 200 of this embodiment has an overlapping seam 2531 with a pair of parallel and spaced

seal lines

204 and 205 leaving a passage or well 206 therebetween for the conducting of the fluid from the package 200. A rigid' the invention will When the top of the container is torn open, the fluid packaged therewithin will cause the straw or sipper 208 to rise in view of the buoyant forces acting upon the said straw or sipper. An opening 210 provided in one of the walls of the overlapping seam to provide fiuid access from the interior of the package 200 into the passage or well 206. The straw 268 will then be utilized to consume the beverage in the interior of the package 200. The rigid straw 208 will serve to insure against blockage of the passage or well 286. Means such as tape or the like may be provided at the top of the package 2&0 to insure ease of opening and proper access to the straw 208, while allowing the rest of the container to remain sealed.

Shown in FIG. 13 is an elevational view showing another embodiment of the instant invention corresponding in most details to the embodiment immediately abovedescribed. In place of the overlapping seals, mentioned immediately hereinabove, there is set forth herein a flexible package fabricated in any of the usual manners, Along one wall of the said flexible package will be a strip of material 301 heat sealed along its entire periphery in a watertight manner to the material of the flexible package 300. This will serve to provide an interior compartment which will act as a well 302 or the like, for the conducting of the beverage or other fluid from the interior of the package 300. A straw or sipper 308 may be placed within the well 302. to conduct the fluids as mentioned above. The operation of this embodiment of the invention then is identical to that mentioned above.

The interior well 302 may be opened by providing a tear tape or any other similar opening means across the strip 301. This will provide access to the fluid packaged within the container only through the well 302. The buoyant forces acting upon the straw or sipper 308 will cause the said straw or sipper to rise within the well. The fluids may then be withdrawn from the flexible package 300 through the straw or sipper 308 with all of the advantages and conveniences mentioned above.

This construction of this invention may, of course, be utilized on any type of flexible package, whether it be of the flat, gusseted, square, tetrahedran, satchel, easy-opening, pocketed, or any other type.

Still further, a larger flexible package may be provided with any of the dispensing arrangements set forth herein at opposite sides thereof. A center seal line may be provided longitudinally separating the container into two dis tinct parts. Thus, for example, if a beverage is to be packaged within the bag, one flavor may be placed on one side, and another flavor on the other side. The separate dispensing arrangements may then be utilized to dispense one or both of the flavors as desired. Dispensing one flavor will in no way interfere with the contents of the compartment containing the other flavor. Any number of compartments and flavors may be therein provided.

Further, it is to be noted that the use of the straw or sipper of a rigid type within a sealed off compartment or well in a flexible package will have still another advantage of importance. It is generally considered to be unsafe, and in fact, violative of health codes, to insert a loose object such as a straw within a packaged liquid container, of an edible fluid. The instant construction, however, accomplishes this object without being violative of health codes in that the separate object, to wit, the straw or sipper, will not be loose but in fact, is securely contained within a compartment or well.

While there are above disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the structure and product of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive c0ncept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are stated therein or required by the prior art.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. A liquid containing bag, comprising:

(a) forward and back walls secured together to form an enclosure with liquid therewithin,

(b) a portion of said forward and back walls being sealed together along a line parallel to and spaced from one edge of said enclosure to form an internal passage within and along one side of said enclosure,

( c) said internal passage terminating at one end within said enclosure thereby providing communication between the interior of said passage and the remainder of the interior of said enclosure,

(:1) said other end of said internal passage terminating at one edge of said bag whereby said edge of said bag when opened will be in communication with the interior of said enclosure through said internal passage,

(2) and a second sealed line along said forward and back walls, said second sealed line being parallel to and closely spaced from said first mentioned sealed portion,

(f) and a line of weakness between said first mentioned sealed portion and said second sealed line, whereby said passage may be torn away from the remainder of said bag except at said end in communication with the interior.

2. A liquid containing bag as set forth in claim 1, further including a hollow rigid tubular member within said internal passage.

3. A liquid containing and dispensing collapsible bag, comprising:

(b) at least one edge of said forward and back walls being further connected by a gusset,

(c) the folds of said gusset being secured together at the edge of said bag whereby the internal fold of said gusset will form a passage,

(:1) an opening in said passage communicating with the interior of said enclosure, whereby when an end of said gusset passage is opened communication will be established through said passage with the interior of said enclosure,

(e) said forward and back walls of said bag being sealed together along a line spaced from and parallel to the internal folds of said gusset.

(j) and a scored line along said forward and back walls intermediate said interior folds of said gusset and said sealed line whereby said internal passage formed by said gusset may be at least partially torn away from the remainder of said bag when dispensing the liquid contents of said bag.

4. A liquid containing bag as set forth in claim 3, fur

ther including a hollow rigid tubular member within said internal passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,220,746 11/40 Wentz 229-7 2,541,674 2/ 51 Snyder 229- 2,682,902 7/ 54 Metzger 229-62.5 X 2,992, 118 7/61 Daline 229-85 X 2,998,340 8/61 Conway et al.

3,004,698 10/61 Ashton 229-62.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,154,361 10/57 France.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A LIQUID CONTAINING BAG, COMPRISING: (A) FORWARD AND BACK WALLS SECURED TOGETHER TO FORM AN ENCLOSURE WITH LIQUID THEREWITHIN, (B) A PORTION OF SAID FORWARD AND BACK WALLS BEING MOUNTED SEALED TOGETHER ALONG A LINE PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM ONE EDGE OF SAID ENCLOSURE TO FORM AN INTERNAL PASSAGE WITHIN AND ALONG ONE SIDE OF SAID ENCLOSURE, (C) SAID INTERNAL PASSAGE TERMINATING AT ONE END WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE THEREBY PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INTERIOR OF SAID PASSAGE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE INTERIOR OF SAID ENCLOSURE, (D) SAID OTHER END OF SAID INTERNAL PASSAGE TERMINATING AT ONE EDGE OF SAID BAG WHEREBY SAID EDGE OF SAID BAG WHEN OPENED WILL BE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID ENCLOSURE THROUGH SAID INTERNAL PASSAGE, (E) AND A SECOND SEALED LINE ALONG SAID FORWARD AND BACK WALLS, SAID SECOND SEALED LINE BEING PARALLEL TO AND CLOSELY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALED PORTION, (F) AND A LINE OF WEAKNESS BETWEEN SAID FIRST MENTIONED SEALED PORTION AND SAID SECOND SEALED LINE, WHEREBY SAID PASSAGE MAY BE TORN AWAY FROM THE REMINDER OF SAID BAG EXCEPT AT SAID END IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR.