MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT PACKAGE

• US 3,608,709 A
• Filed: 09/08/1969
• Issued: 09/28/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brian R. Pike
• Original Assignee: Brian R. Pike
• Inventors: Pike, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leclair, Joseph R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lipman, Steven E.
• Application Number:
  US04/856,099
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 206/47A,56AZ,84,DIG.21 229/51WB
• US Class Current: 206/219
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/76 Making non-permanent or releasable joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/133 Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible the parts to be joined being rigid B29C66/1312
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4312 for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4322 by joining a single sheet to itself B29C66/4332 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7234 comprising a barrier layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 2220/22 Interconnected packages concurrently produced from the same web, the packages not being separated from one another
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/2056 Machines for packages of special type or form
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 9/213 the web having intermittent motion B65B9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/48 containing liquids, semiliquids, or pastes, e.g. cushion-shaped packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3266 separated by a common rupturable seal, a clip or other removable fastening device

Abstract

A multiple-compartment laminated package is provided which is suitable for holding in separate compartments different substances which can be mixed together within the package upon breaking the barrier between the separate compartments. This barrier can be broken by the application of external pressure to the package which applies tension to an inner layer of the outer wall of the package, such rupture of the inner layer taking place at a controlled location by virtue of a reduction in the bond strength between the inner layer and the next adjoining layer of the outer wall of the package.

Claims

2. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which the inner layer on each wall is a heat-sealable material and the transverse seal is one formed by heat and pressure.

3. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which the transverse seal extends lengthwise thereof between opposite sides of the package and beyond the release area, and the width of the transverse seal is less than the corresponding dimension of the release area.

4. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 which includes stress-concentrating means adjacent the transverse seal for facilitating rupture of the inner layer when same is in tension.

5. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which the transverse seal is formed by a strip of adhesive applied to one wall.

6. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which a said adjoining layer has printed on it over the release area a substance reducing the bond between the adjoining layers.

7. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 which also includes a zone of weakness in the inner layer of said one wall within the release area.

8. A multiple compartment package according to claim 7 in which the zone of weakness is a thinned area in said inner layer.

9. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which said one wall comprises:

an outside layer of a relatively high-tensile strength material lacking thermoplastic properties;

a first layer of a thermoplastic material of uniform thickness applied to one face of the outside layer;

a coating of a release material applied to said first layer over a limited area, said material reducing the bond between it and the next mentioned layer; and

an inner layer of a thermoplastic material applied to the first layer over the release material and strongly bonded to the first thermoplastic layer except at said coating to form the release area.

10. A multiple compartment package according to claim 1 in which the package comprises a single sheet of material with opposite marginal edges joined together in a longitudinal seam disposed centrally of one of said pair of walls of the package and the release area is on the other of said pairs of walls opposite the longitudinal seam.

11. A multiple compartment package according to claim 10 in which the ends of the package are each closed by a transverse seal generally parallel to the seal between compartments.

12. A multiple compartment container for holding substances in separate compartments, comprising:

a pair of overlying walls of thin flexible sheet material joined together, except for product-receiving openings, to define between the walls an interior product-holding space, each of said walls having a plurality of layers bonded together and at least one wall having a release area at which the bond between adjoining layers is reduced in strength; and

means dividing the interior product-holding space into two separate compartments, each having a product-receiving opening, said means comprising a seal joining together said walls and extending transversely across the package and crossing the release area;

whereby the means dividing the interior space into two compartments can be ruptured by rupture of the inner layer at said release area.

13. A multiple compartment container according to claim 12 in which the inner layer on each wall is a heat-sealable material and the transverse seal is formed by heat and pressure.

14. A multiple compartment conTainer according to claim 12 in which the transverse seal extends lengthwise thereof between opposite sides of the container and beyond the release area, and the width of the transverse seal is less than the corresponding dimension of the release area.

15. A multiple compartment container according to claim 12 in which a said adjoining layer has printed on it over the release area a substance reducing the bond between the adjoining layers.

16. A package for holding a product, comprising:

a pair of overlying walls of thin flexible sheet material joined together to define between the walls an interior product-holding space, each of said walls having a plurality of layers bonded together and at least one wall having a release area at which the bond between adjoining layers is reduced in strength;

means closing the interior product-holding space at one side thereof, said means comprising a seal joining together said walls and extending transversely across the package and crossing the release area; and

a product in said interior space;

whereby an opening for product discharge from the package can be established by rupture of the inner layer at said release area.

17. A package according to claim 16 in which the inner layer on each wall is a heat-sealable material and the transverse seal is formed by heat and pressure.

18. A package according to claim 16 in which the transverse seal extends lengthwise thereof between opposite sides of the package and beyond the release area, and the width of the transverse seal is less than the corresponding dimension of the release area.

19. A package according to claim 16 in which a said adjoining layer has printed on it over the release area a substance reducing the bond between the adjoining layers.