Tear and spill resistant package for dispensing liquids in a controlled manner

• US 20070228073A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wyeth LLC (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wyeth (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Mazzarino, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US11/727,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/067 Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/42 Chains of interconnected packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/5811 and defining, after tearing, a small dispensing spout, a small orifice or the like

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a pliable package that is tear resistant, requires a greater degree of dexterity to open, and prevents accidental discharge during or after opening of the package. The package includes a flexible, liquid storage reservoir having a funnel-shaped outlet passageway leading to a opening. The package also includes a reinforced tear resistant tab portion that may prevent accidental discharge of liquid when the tab portion is bent about the score line. The funnel-shaped outlet passageway may be shaped to allow the liquid to be dispensed in a controlled manner.

Claims

1. A pliable package for storing liquids therein, comprising:

a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets being joined together by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges;

a liquid reservoir enclosed between the superposed sheets, including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and

a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal, configured to block the liquid discharge opening;

wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway extends across the liquid discharge opening from the flexible reservoir to the reinforced closure.

2. The pliable package of claim 1, wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway comprises a tapered portion and an elongate throat portion having opposing ends;

and

wherein the tapered portion extends from the liquid reservoir to one end of the elongate throat portion, and the elongate throat portion extends from its other end to the reinforced closure.

3. The pliable package of claim 1, wherein the reinforced closure and the liquid reservoir each comprise a plurality of gripping ribs.

4. The pliable package of claim 1, wherein the reinforced closure is joined to the liquid reservoir along a score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal.

5. The pliable package of claim 4, further comprising:

a reinforcing member formed in the reinforced closure and the liquid reservoir across the score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal.

6. The pliable package of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped, C-shaped, O-shaped, or X-shaped.

7. The pliable package of claim 5, wherein the reinforced closure is configured to unblock the liquid discharge opening upon being rotated about the score line.

8. A pliable package for storing liquids therein, comprising:

a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets being joined together by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges;

a liquid reservoir enclosed between the superposed sheets, including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge-opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and

a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal and configured to block the liquid discharge opening;

wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway is configured to allow the formation of a meniscus upon unblocking the liquid discharge opening in order to prevent liquids from exiting the pliable package.

9. The pliable package of claim 8, wherein the funnel-shaped outlet passageway comprises a tapered portion and an elongate throat portion having opposing ends;

wherein the tapered portion extends from the liquid reservoir to one end of the elongate throat portion, and the elongate throat portion extends from its other end to the reinforced closure; and

wherein the tapered portion is configured to drain liquids from the elongate throat portion toward the liquid reservoir.

10. The pliable package of claim 8, wherein the reinforced closure and the liquid reservoir each comprise a plurality of gripping ribs.

11. The pliable package of claim 8, wherein the reinforced closure is joined to the liquid reservoir along a score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal.

12. The pliable package of claim 11, further comprising:

a reinforcing member formed in the reinforced closure and the liquid reservoir across the score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal.

13. The pliable package of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped, C-shaped, O-shaped or X-shaped.

14. The pliable package of claim 12, wherein the reinforced closure is configured to unblock the liquid discharge opening upon being rotated about the score line.

15. A method of storing liquids inside a pliable package, comprising:

providing a plurality of flexible, liquid-impermeable superposed sheets;

joining the superposed sheets by a liquid-tight seal along their respective peripheral edges;

providing a liquid reservoir between the superposed sheets, the liquid reservoir including a funnel-shaped outlet passageway and a liquid discharge opening at a location along the liquid-tight seal; and

providing a reinforced closure located along the liquid-tight seal for blocking the liquid discharge opening;

wherein the pliable package prevents spillage and kickback of the liquids during unblocking of the liquid discharge opening.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

configuring the funnel-shaped outlet passageway to drain liquids, therein, back into the liquid reservoir upon holding the pliable package upright for several seconds.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

joining the reinforced closure to the liquid reservoir along a score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal and configuring the reinforced closure to unblock the liquid discharge opening upon being rotated about the score line.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

forming a reinforcing member in the reinforced closure and the liquid reservoir across the score line at the location along the fluid-tight seal, for preventing accidental unblocking of the liquid discharge opening.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

configuring the liquid discharge opening to allow the formation of a meniscus upon unblocking the liquid discharge opening in order to prevent accidental discharge of liquids from the pliable package.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

configuring the superposed sheets to collapse and discharge liquids in the liquid reservoir through the liquid discharge opening upon a user'"'"'s rotation of the reinforced closure about the score line, and inward compression of the liquid reservoir.