US20140004227A1

US20140004227A1 - Flexible Pouch

Info

Publication number: US20140004227A1
Application number: US13/930,609
Authority: US
Inventors: Quoc Anh Tran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-28
Publication date: 2014-01-02
Also published as: WO2014005093A1; WO2014005118A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a flexible pouch which comprises at least one wet compartment storing a first liquid and at least one adjacent dry compartment storing at least one compressed tissue or chemical compounds, or a combination thereof. In use, the user applies a certain force to the wet compartment to break membrane seal between the wet and dry compartments to allow the liquid flowing from the wet compartment to the dry compartment to activate the compressed tissue or the chemical compounds in the dry compartment. The flexible pouch may further comprises a second wet section storing a drinking liquid which is arranged separately from the first wet section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled, “LIQUID CONTAINER AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF,” having Ser. No. 61/665,875, filed on Jun. 28, 2012, and U.S. provisional application entitled, “A CONTAINER WITH AQUA TISSUE,” having Ser. No. 61/786,330, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, all of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a container having compartments, a compartment for storing liquid and another compartment for storing compressed tissue(s) and/or utility chemical compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to a flexible pouch comprising at least two compartments, one compartment is for storing liquid and another one for storing at least one liquid absorbable compressed tissue and/or utility chemical compositions such as pharmaceuticals, food supplements, beverage extracts, beverage mixtures or the like.

BACKGROUND

It is typical for a user to use a tissue or a towel to clean and refresh their face and/or to wipe their mouth and/or hands in situations, such as, eating food and drinking beverage, traveling around in vehicles, doing exercise in the fitness centers, or the like. Tissue or towel may be needed not only for refreshing and cleaning face and/or hands, but also needed for cleaning beverage spills, cleaning tables, counters, cars, or the like.
One form of tissue that can be used for cleaning and refreshing is a compressed tissue. Korean patent publication no. KR200400633 disclosed a mineral water container having a cap for carrying a compressed tissue. U.S. patent publication no. US2010/0051576A provided a container (bottle) cap with a compartment for accommodation of a compressed tissue. However, in order to use the compressed tissue, the user has to withdraw the tissue from the compartment and then expose the compressed tissue with water outside the container in a separate container, such as a cup, or the like. Not only does exposing the compressed tissue with liquid in a separate container may cause some inconveniences to the user but it is not easy to determine a proper amount of liquid (e.g., water) needed so the compressed tissue could sufficiently absorb the liquid.
It is considered desirable to provide a flexible pouch for carrying dry liquid-absorbable compressed tissue and for having structures that change the dry tissue to a disposable wet tissue without using liquid from a separate container , allowing the user to easily withdraw the disposable wet tissue from the flexible pouch anytime and anywhere.
EP1518528 A1 disclosed a package for a disposable tissue which includes an upper unit having plurality of compressed tissue storing unit, middle unit in a plate shape sealingly adhered to the lower surface of the upper units, lower units sealingly adhered to the lower surface of the middle units storing a liquid. A compressed tissue in an upper unit can be changed to a disposable wet tissue when a certain liquid is absorbed to the compressed tissue through an opened upper side of a lower unit by using a certain force to tear the middle layer unit. However, to use the tissue, the user has to apply a certain force to the compressed tissue. The compressed tissue, in turn, transfers the force to the middle layer unit. This way of indirectly tearing the middle layer unit may need a sufficient strong force which may be inconvenient for some users, especially for children.
There may remain a need in the art that the dry compartment may be used for other purposes, not only for storing the compressed tissue, such as pharmaceuticals, food supplements, drinking extracts or other drinking mixtures which the user may use the liquid storing in the wet compartment to dissolve, or pre-made casts.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is the first object of the present invention to provide a liquid container in a form of a flexible pouch or bag that contains an activation liquid compartment storing an activation liquid and a dry compartment storing a compressed tissue. The flexible pouch can be made of a thin plastic, foil, or similar materials that is impervious to liquid. The activation liquid compartment and a dry compartment each of them has at least one corner or one edge adjoining with each other. A sealed liquid entrance is arranged at the adjoining corners or edges of the activation liquid compartment and a dry compartment so that the seal at the liquid entrance can be broken by squeezing the activation liquid compartment to allow the liquid flowing from the activation liquid compartment to the dry compartment storing the compressed tissue or other utility chemicals to activate them. The flexible pouch/bag optionally, may comprise a plurality of activation liquid compartments comprising liquid which are placed adjacent to a respective plurality of dry compartments containing respective plurality of compressed tissues many times of use.
Optionally, in addition to the activation liquid compartment, the flexible pouch/bag may further comprise a compartment for storing a drinkable liquid, such as drinking water, beverages, milk, vitamin-containing liquids, tea, coffee, beer, or the like.
These and other needs in the art are addressed in another embodiment in which the dry compartment, instead of storing a compressed tissue, may store utility chemical compounds such as food supplements, drinking extracts/mixtures or other chemical agents for use in need, useful for user for outdoor activities, or anywhere, at anytime The mechanism of activating the compounds storing in the dry compartment is same as for compressed tissue. That is, the user may squeeze the activation liquid compartment to allow the liquid flowing from the activation liquid compartment to the dry compartment storing food supplements, drinking extracts or other chemical agents, then sake the pouch to substantially dissolve the compounds for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained further with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. In the figures, schematically:

FIG. 1 is a diagram view of a flexible pouch with a compressed tissue according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the activation of a compressed tissue in a flexible pouch, such as that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the compressed tissue after being activated expanding and protruding out from a flexible pouch, such as that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a couple of views showing an expanded tissue that extends across a hand 1110 of a consumer; and

FIG. 5 is a view that illustrates a flexible pouch with a dry compound powder in accordance with second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the construction of the pouch with a compressed tissue according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a flexible pouch 10 that contains activation liquid 13 stored in a wet compartment 11 and at least one compressed tissue 14 stored in a dry compartment 12 of the flexible pouch 10. The dry compartment 12 storing the compressed tissue 14 includes a perforated line 20 that can easily tear the pouch 10 at the perforated line 20 after the compressed tissue 14 is activated with the liquid 13 and expands. The steps of activating the compressed tissue 14 in the pouch 10 are further described in FIGS. 2-3. The activated compressed tissue 14 can be used to wipe and clean a contact area (not shown), such as a user hands and face, table surface, contaminated objects, etc. The flexible pouch 10 can be attached with coupons and advertisements.
The flexible pouch 10 can be made of three layers of flexible materials and the perforated line 20 is formed by cutting into at least one layer of the flexible materials. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible pouch 10 can be made of a predetermined thickness and the perforated line 20 is formed by cutting into a portion of the thickness of the flexible materials. The compressed tissue 14 can expand with 1 Kgm of pressure and as such, the perforated line 20 is generally cut such that the perforated line 20 tears at about 1 Kgm of pressure. Although the perforated line 20 is shown as a horizontal line across the dry compartment 12, the perforated line 20 can be many other shapes and configurations, such as a square, rectangle, or other geometric shapes, a shorter line across the draw compartment 12 and an “X” or “O” letter substantially in the center of the dry compartment and slightly larger in diameter than the compressed tissue 14. For example, the compressed tissue can have a diameter of a penny and the “X” or “O” perforated line 20 can have a diameter of a nickel. The “X” or “O” perforated line 20 facilitates positioning the compressed tissue 14 generally at the center of the dry compartment 12. During manufacturing of the flexible pouch 10, the top and side edges of the dry compartment 12 are sealed and the bottom edge adjacent the jagged edge is not so that the compressed tissue 14 is placed in the dry compartment 14. The “X” or “O” perforated line 20 facilitates positioning the compressed tissue 14 at the X″ or “O” perforated line 20 by allowing the plastic pouch 10 to conform to the shape of the compressed tissue 14 as the bottom edge is sealed.
The flexible pouch can be made of a thin plastic, foil, or similar materials that is impervious to liquid. The compressed tissue can be made of material selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, wood fiber, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic materials, or combination thereof. Preferrably, The compressed tissue 14 can be nonwoven, flushable or nonflushable, compressed into any object such as any geometric shapes, animals, toys, etc., and expands into any shapes, such as contours of a human face.
A liquid entrance area 25 is positioned at an adjacent corners of the wet compartment 11 and the dry compartment 12. However, it can be appreciated that the liquid entrance area 25 can be positioned anywhere between the wet compartment 11 and dry compartments 11, 12, such as at the adjacent edge 15 between the two compartments 11, 12, at the middle of the adjacent edge, or the entire adjacent edge. The liquid entrance area 25 can be formed such that the space between the wet compartment 11 and dry compartment 12 is less at the liquid entrance area 25 so that the seal at the liquid entrance area 25 breaks more easily thereabout allowing liquid to enter into the dry compartment 12 and absorbed by the compressed tissue 14. As an alternative, the dry compartment 12 can contain more than one compressed tissue 14.
In another aspect, the pouch 10 can include a set of plurality of wet compartments 11 which are placed adjacent to a respective set of plurality of dry compartments 12 containing respective plurality of compressed tissues. Placed between the respective plurality of wet compartments and dry compartments are respective plurality of liquid entrance areas 25. With respective plurality of wet compartments 11 and dry compartments 12, users can activate the compressed tissue individually, either all at the same time or at different times.
In yet another aspect, the pouch 10 can include a second wet compartment (not shown) which is placed adjacent to the first wet compartment 11. The second wet compartment can be designated for drinkable liquid and the first wet compartment 11 can be designated as an activation liquid for the compressed tissue. The first wet compartment and second wet compartment are separately arranged from each other. Preferably, the liquids stored in the first wet compartment and second wet compartment is not in liquid communication with each other because users generally do not like the idea of their drinkable liquid “contaminated” by the compressed tissue.
Liquids other than water can be used to fill to the first wet compartment 11 such as sterilized liquid, deodorization liquid, aroma containing liquid or any cosmetic containing liquid, and skin liquid treatment vitamins.
Liquids storing in the second wet compartment may be water or any of drinkable liquids such as beverages, milk, vitamin-containing liquids, sex enhancement liquid, tea, coffee, beer, or the like.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a user 100 activating a compressed tissue stored in the pouch 10 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention. The user presses or squeezes the wet compartment 11 in which liquid 13 flows towards the liquid entrance area 25 and breaks through to the dry compartment 12, thereby exposing the liquid to and activating the compressed tissue 14.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an activation of the compressed tissue 14 in a pouch 10 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention. An activated tissue 15 expands upward towards the perforated line 20. The activated tissue 17 expands to the point where it tears or breaks the dry compartment 12 at the perforated line 20 and expands out of the dry compartment 12, allowing the user to take the activated tissue 15 without putting his/her finger inside the dry compartment 12 and without the step of the user tearing the dry compartment 12. Alternatively or additionally, the dry compartment can be torn from jagged edges adjacent to the dry compartment 12.
The activation liquid 13 for activating the compressed tissue may be water or any other liquid comprising chemical compounds for activating the compressed tissue 14 and for cleaning or other purposes. The followings are potential chemical used for the liquid of the pouch: Scented Freshener, Light Soap Cleanser, Moderate Soap Cleanser, Strong Soap Cleanser, Industrial Cleanser, Women's Make up Remover, Nail Polish Remover, Sea Salt Solution (Pedicure Treatment), Heavy Moisturizer Solution (Manicure & Pedicure Treatment), Moisturizing Solution (Facial and Baby's Bottom), Light Degreaser Solution, Moderate Degreaser Solution, Light Anti Bacterial Solution, Moderate Anti Bacterial Solution, Strong Anti Bacterial Solution, Coagulating Solution, Medical Anti Microbial Solution or Emergency Medical Solutions etc.
FIG. 4 is a couple of views showing an expanded tissue 17 extends across a hand 100 of a consumer. FIG. 5 is a view of another embodiment of the pouch 20 in which the compressed tissue 14 is replaced by a chemical compound 16 such as dissolvable powder. In use, the user presses or squeeze the wet compartment 11 in which liquid 13 flows towards the liquid entrance area 25 and breaks through to the dry compartment 12 to activate the chemical compound contained therein. To completely dissolve the compound, the user shakes the pouch 20 in conventional manners. A tearable weak line 30 at a corner or along an edge of the pouch is pre-set to ease tearing the pouch when the liquid mixture is prepared for use. The user may use the dissolved liquid, optionally, by a straw or pouring to a cup.
The chemical compound 16 may be any of food supplements such as vitamins or the like, cosmetic compound, other drinking extracts such as orange juice powders, instant tees, instant coffee, cocoa powder, milk or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the pouch 20 can be used as a pre-cast compound package for broken bones. In this example, the dry compartment contains a compressed tissue with cast compounds. The cast compound 16 mixes with liquid 11, which comes into contact with the expanding aqua tissue and forms a plaster cast. Tools 21 for preparing and applying the cast can be placed in a third compartment 19.
A wide variety of chemical compounds can be used for additional functions of the compressed tissue, such as hot/cool compressed tissues, and such chemicals are disclosed in the prior art. When the liquid is water, typical endothermic agents including sodium acetate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate etc. can be put in the compressed tissue compartment to cool the compressed tissue. Other exothermic agents can heat the compressed tissue by putting them in the compressed tissue cavity, such as calcium chloride, magnesium. They generate heat during dissolving into water.
Other modifications will occur to those practicing in the art of the present invention. Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention, but not be limited to any of the specific features as described. All variations thereof come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible pouch, comprising:

at least one wet compartment storing a first liquid;

at least one dry compartment arranged adjacent to the wet compartment storing at least one compressed tissue;

a liquid entrance area that is sealed adjacent between a wet compartment and a dry compartment, wherein the liquid entrance area breaks when a squeezing force is applied on the wet compartment, the first liquid in the wet compartment breaks the seal of the liquid entrance area and flows into the dry compartment to be absorbed by the compressed tissue; and

a perforated line formed on the dry compartment that tears as the compressed tissue expands upon absorbing the liquid, wherein the expanding tissue expands and protrudes out of the dry compartment through the torn perforated line.

2. The flexible pouch of claim 1, wherein the compressed tissue is pre-compressed in a suitable shape using any non-woven and liquid absorbable fabric so that the compressed tissue is changed to a disposable wet tissue when a certain liquid is absorbed to the compressed tissue.

3. The flexible pouch of claim 1, wherein the first liquid is water, sterilized liquid, deodorization liquid, cleansing liquid, aroma containing liquid or any cosmetic containing liquid.

4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch further comprises a second wet compartment storing a second liquid which is arranged separately with the wet compartment.

5. A flexible pouch, comprising:

at least on wet compartment for storing a first liquid;

at least one dry compartment adjacent to the wet compartment storing utility chemical compounds and at least one compressed tissue;

a liquid entrance area that is sealed adjacent between a wet compartment and a dry compartment, wherein the liquid entrance area breaks when a squeezing force is applied on the wet compartment, the first liquid in the wet compartment breaks the seal of the liquid entrance area and flows into the dry compartment to dissolve the utility chemical compounds and to be absorbed by the compressed tissue; and

a perforated line formed on the dry compartment that tears as the compressed tissue expands upon absorbing the liquid, wherein the expanding tissue expands and protrudes out of the dry compartment through the tom perforated line.

6. The pouch of claim 5, wherein the pouch further comprises a second wet compartment storing a second liquid which is arranged separately with the wet compartment.

7. The pouch of claim 6, wherein the second liquid is water or any other drinkable liquid including beverages, milk, vitamin-containing liquids, tea, coffee, beer, or the like.

8. A flexible pouch, comprising:

at least on wet compartment for storing a first liquid;

at least one dry compartment adjacent to the wet compartment storing utility chemical compounds and at least one compressed tissue; and

a liquid entrance area that is sealed adjacent between a wet compartment and a dry compartment, wherein the liquid entrance area breaks when a squeezing force is applied on the wet compartment, the first liquid in the wet compartment breaks the seal of the liquid entrance area and flows into the dry compartment to dissolve the utility chemical compounds and to be absorbed by the compressed tissue.

9. The pouch of claim 8, wherein the pouch further comprises a second wet compartment storing a second liquid which is arranged separately with the wet compartment.

10. The pouch of claim 8, wherein the second liquid is water or any other drinkable liquid including beverages, milk, vitamin-containing liquids, tea, coffee, beer, or the like.

11. The pouch of claim 8, further comprising a perforated line formed on the dry compartment that tears as the compressed tissue expands upon absorbing the liquid, wherein the expanding tissue expands and protrudes out of the dry compartment through the tom perforated line.