CA2037822A1 - Easily gripped pouch - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The present pouch has a region adjacent the top edge having at least two openings adapted to receive a persons fingers. Preferably in this region, the walls of the pouch are sealed to each other to provide a reinforced thickened section. It is also an embodiment that in the area to be gripped that there can be one or more reinforcing ribs. The result is a pouch that can be easily lifted and maneuvered to dispense the contained product,

Description

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IR 486l E~SILY GRIPPED POUCH
BACKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION
, This invention relates -to a pouch package that is easily gripped.
S More particularly, this invention relates to a pouch which has in the region adjacent the upper edge, at least two openings adapted to receive a persons fingers and to facilitate pouring.
A problem with regard to pouch packages is that they are difficult to grip and maneuver. They are easily dropped. Much of the problem is that a pouch container does not have the same structural integrity as does a bottle or carton. The side walls are flexible. Gripping pressure deforms the pouch walls. Thus, some kind of a structure to enhance gripping is advisable. It has been found that the present gripping means is superior to handles or other types of techniques to enhance gripping. Handles which are gripped by the full hand, such as handles on bottles, also suffer from a lack of sufficient structural integrity. They will flex as the pouch is manipulated in order to dispense a product. It is likely that some product will be spilled. However, with the present gripping means, a pouch can be readily maneuvered. The product can be dispensed while maintaining a '0 sufficient control over the pouch.
BRIEF S~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a gripping means for a flexible pouch package. The gripping means is comprised of at least two apertures in the upper part of the pouch along one sidewall. These apertures are adap-ted to receive at least two fingers. Preferably in this part of the pouch that has the two apertures the walls of the pouch are sealed to each other to provide a thickened area. This provides reinforcing. In addition to, or in place of, this thickened area, there can be one or more ~ ~ 20~7822 reinforcing ribs in the region of these apertures. The use of two or more apertures provides for a means of gripping and maneuvering the pouch, including during the time that product is being dispensed from the pouch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a pouch having apertures for gripping.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pouch of Figure 1 along line 2-2.
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a pouch having gripping apertures and a spout.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a pouch having reinforcing ribs in the region of the apertures.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pouch having a multi-layer film structure.
lS Figure 6 is a front elevatinal view of a pouch having three apertures for gripping.
DET~ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a convenient and sure way to handle pouch packages. In Figure 1, there is shown pouch 10 having side seams 11 and 12. However, these can also be sidewall panels. The bottom surface 13 will adopt a flat orientation when the pouch is filled with a liquid. The top edge 14 is sealed. The region 15 has apertures 16 for gripping and lifting the pouch. In this region 15, the walls of the pouch are sealed to each other to provide a thickened and reinforced area. Heat sealing is preferred. This is shown in more detail in Figure 2. In this Figure 2, there is shown a front wall 18 and rear wall 17. These front and rear wal]s are sealed at 12 to produce the side portion. The side portion will -~ ~ ", ,i ,~
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in most instances, be a sealed edge. However, it can also be a sidewall panel.
Figure 3 shows the pouch of Figure 1 with a dispensing spout 19. This spout is formed by cutt-ing an indentation 20 in side 12. The full side, including the indentation and spout, are sealed. Figure 4 illustrates a pouch similar to that of FIgure 3 but where in region 15 there are reinforcing ribs 21 and 22. ~hese are shown to be vertical and horizontal ribs, however, they can be of essentially any shape, intersecting or otherwise.
Figure 5 shows a pouch having a multi-ply structure. It is shown that the front wall and rear wall are each comprised of plies 23 and 24. This is a useful structure when a layer suc'n as 24 has good barrier properties while inner layer is sealable by heat or an adhesive along its periphery.
Figure 6 shows the embodiment where the pouch has three apertures 16.
These apertures can accommodate up to three fingers.
These pouches can be comprised of essentially any polymeric or copolymeric material. Thus, the material can be a polyene such as polyethylene or polypropylene, nylon, a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl acetate, :
ethylene-vinyl acetate or any other material that is compatible with the substance to be contained in the pouch. In a multi-ply structure, the inner layer will usually be a layer that can be heat sealed by a radiant source, an RF source or by ultrasonic energy. Polyenes, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl acetate and ethylene - vinyl acetate can be used in heat sealiny.
The present pouches maintain their structural integrity. In order to use top 1~ and side 12 are cut and the contents poured from the pouch. In the embodiments where there is a spout the end of the spout will be cutoff ~ ~7~22 and the contained liquid dispensed. Regardless of the er~bodiment the pouch can be easily handled and the contained product safely dispensed.

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Claims (16)

1. A pouch package having a gripping means, said gripping means comprising an area adjacent the top of the pouch having at least two apertures through said pouch and adapted to receive at least two fingers for gripping.

2. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein in the part of said pouch having said gripping means, the pouch walls are sealed to each other to provide a thickened region in the region of said gripping means.

3. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein in the part of said pouch having said gripping means there is at least one stiffening rib.

4. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein said gripping means has 3 apertures through said pouch and adapted to receive at least three fingers.

5. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein said pouch has a spout adjacent the top of the pouch at the edge opposite that of said gripping means.

6. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein said pouch is constructed from a single ply of film.

7. A pouch package as in Claim 1 wherein said pouch is constructed from multiple plies of film.

8. A pouch package as in Claim 7 where said multiple plies are coextruded.

9. A pouch package as in Claim 7 wherein said multiple plies are laminated.

10. A pouch package as in Claim 2 wherein in the part of said pouch having said gripping means there is at least one stiffening rib.

11. A pouch package as in Claim 2 wherein said gripping means has 3 apertures through said pouch and adapted to receive at least three fingers.

12. A pouch package as in Claim 2 wherein said pouch has a spout adjacent the top of the pouch at the edge opposite that of said gripping means.

13. A pouch package as in Claim 2 wherein said pouch is constructed from a single ply of film.

14. A pouch package as in Claim 2 wherein said pouch is constructed from multiple plies of film.

15. A pouch package as in Claim 14 where said multiple plies are coextruded.

16. A pouch package as in Claim 14 wherein said multiple plies are laminated.