Multi-compartment bag with breakable walls

• US 6,036,004 A
• Filed: 12/03/1997
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowen, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUONG, SHIAN TINH NHAN
• Application Number:
  US08/984,372
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 206/469, 206/219, 206/222, 383/38, 215/DIG. 8
• US Class Current: 206/219
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/28 Warming devices generating the heat by exothermic reactions, e.g. heat released by the contact of unslaked lime with water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0098 ways of manufacturing heating or cooling devices for therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0276 with separate compartments connectable by rupturing a wall or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/106 self-cooling, e.g. using a chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3266 separated by a common rupturable seal, a clip or other removable fastening device
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3484 Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals warming devices A47J36/24
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/16 Materials undergoing chemical reactions when used
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 5/02 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/08 Mixing

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-compartment bag which provides for the separation of two substances until their desired intermixing. A specific application of this multi-compartment bag is for hot or cold chemical packs. The substances in the multi-compartment bag are separated by two breakable walls and a third compartment which together act as a barrier to migration of one substance into the second substance, which would reduce the shelf life and efficiency of the hot or cold chemical pack. The present invention'"'"'s use of two breakable walls and a compartment, empty or containing an inert substance, separating two reactive substances, provides a longer shelf life, a high efficiency, more reliability and improved ease of operation.

Claims

1. A multi-use hot or cold chemical pack, comprising:

a first compartment for holding a first substance having a first breakable wall;

a second compartment for holding a second substance having a second breakable wall;

a third compartment interposed between the first compartment and the second compartment having a perimeter including the first breakable wall and the second breakable wall;

a fourth compartment for holding a third substance having a third breakable wall;

a fifth compartment for holding a fourth substance having a fourth breakable wall; and

a sixth compartment interposed between the fourth compartment and the fifth compartment having a perimeter including the third breakable wall and the fourth breakable wall;

wherein the first compartment is proximal to the fourth compartment and the second compartment is proximal to the fifth compartment.

2. The multi-use pack of claim 1, wherein when a first sufficient force is exerted upon the pack, the first breakable wall and the second breakable wall rupture, causing mixing of the first substance and the second substance.

3. The multi-use pack of claim 2, wherein when a second sufficient force is exerted upon the pack, the third breakable wall and the fourth breakable wall rupture, causing mixing of the third substance and the fourth substance.

4. The multi-use pack of claim 1 wherein the third compartment acts as a barrier between the first compartment and the second compartment to minimize pre-activation intermixing of the first substance and the second substance.

5. The multi-use pack of claim 1, wherein the sixth compartment acts as a barrier between the fourth compartment and the fifth compartment to minimize pre-activation intermixing of the third substance and the fourth substance.

6. The multi-use pack of claim 1, wherein the second and third substances comprise a solid substance.

7. The multi-use pack of claim 6, wherein the second and third substances comprise a plurality of prills.

8. The multi-use pack of claim 1, further comprising two strips fastened to the pack to serve as ties.

9. A multi-use hot or cold chemical pack, comprising:

a first sheet, a second sheet and a third sheet, wherein the first sheet, the second sheet and the third sheet are sealed together to form a first internal compartment and a second internal compartment;

a first breakable wall, a second breakable wall, a third breakable wall and a fourth breakable wall;

wherein the first breakable wall and the second breakable wall are arranged in the first internal compartment and are sealed to the first sheet and the second sheet so as to form a first compartment for holding a first substance, a second compartment for holding a second substance, and a third compartment interposed between the first and the second compartment;

wherein the third breakable wall and the fourth breakable wall are arranged in the second internal compartment and are sealed to the second sheet and the third sheet so as to form a fourth compartment for holding a third substance, a fifth compartment for holding a fourth substance, and a sixth compartment interposed between the fourth compartment and the fifth compartment;

wherein the first compartment is proximal to the fourth compartment and the second compartment is proximal to the fifth compartment.

10. The multi-use pack of claim 9, wherein when a first sufficient force is exerted upon the pack, the first breakable wall and the second breakable wall rupture, causing mixing of the first substance and the second substance.

11. The multi-use pack of claim 10, wherein when a second sufficient force is exerted upon the pack, the third breakable wall and the fourth breakable wall rupture, causing mixing of the third substance and the fourth substance.

12. The multi-use pack of claim 9, wherein the third compartment acts as a barrier between the first compartment and the second compartment to minimize pre-activation intermixing of the first substance and the second substance.

13. The multi-use pack of claim 9, wherein the sixth compartment acts as a barrier between the fourth compartment and the fifth compartment to minimize pre-activation intermixing of the third substance and the fourth substance.

14. The multi-use pack of claim 9, wherein the second and third substances comprise a solid substance.

15. The multi-use pack of claim 14, wherein the second and third substances comprise a plurality of prills.

16. The multi-use pack of claim 9, further comprising two strips fastened to the pack to serve as ties.