Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W~91/11366 PC~/US90/066~3
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SEALED POUCH HAVING TEAR-OPEN SPOUT
echnical Fleld
Our invention relates, in general, to sealed pouches
made of molecularly-orientable polymeric film that is sealed
along peripheral edge margins.
Backqround Art
Plastic film of, for example, polyethylene or
l0 polypropylene is virtually impossible to tear directly along
a straight or other regular line. This is due to the fact
that two forces, when applied in opposite directions in shear
or tension over an area of such a film or thin sheet, can
cause the plastic film material to deform and stretch
15 plastically until its elastic limit is passed, whereupon a
tear or separation starts. Such a tear can begin anywhere in
the deformed, stretched area -- which is usually at the
weakest point produced by the above-described thickness
reduction -- and will not, in general, run normal to the
20 tearing forces being applied. Thus, ev n with evenly and
carefully applied forces, it is not likely that a person will
be able to tear a plastic film along a preselected straight
or other regular line due to the stretchability of ~he film.
As a result of this, in order to open a plastic pouch,
it is often necessary to employ a sharp tool or other
instrument. The need for a separate cutting tool is
obviously bothersome, and often such tools are not available.
One solution to the above problem has been to perforate
or score a prescribed portion of the pouch or film. This
allows for reasonably regular tearing of the plastic film
material, but the film itself is'weakened. Further,
perforations and the like tend to weaken the deslred seal,
can thus cause leakage in a pouch containing a fluid, and may !~
thus limit the pràctical uti'lity of the pouch.
In a sealed plastic pouch for containment of a fluid and
'~- hàving a spout for discharge of such a`'fluid,`'i'~would be
desirable that such spout be readily openable without the use
of tools or the need fbr scoring the plastic material.
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WO~1/11366 ~ PC~/US~0/06673
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Summary,Disclosure of Invention
Accordingly, our invention, which is directed to animprovement in a sealed pouch, can be summarized as follows.
The sealed pouch is made of a molecularly-orientable
polymeric film that is sealed along peripheral edge margins.
The pouch defines a sealed cavity for containment of a fluid.
The pouch also defines a sealed fluid-discharge spout that is
in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The pouch
further defines a seam disposed between the fluid cavity and
l0 the spout.
The improvement comprlses at least three essential
features. One such feature is that a portion of the
polymeric film which defines a fluid-discharge end of the
spout is molecularly-oriented in a preselected direction.
15 Another such feature is that a portion of the seam defines a
slit disposed transverse to the preselected direction. Still
another feature is that a portion of the sealed pouch
peripheral edge margin in the vicinity of the fluid-discharge
end of the spout defines a tear-initiating notch orlented
along the preselected directionA
The foregoing as well as other features and advan~ages
of our invention will become more readily understood by those
skilled in the art after reading the best mode for carrying
out the invention, discussed in detail hereinbelow, together
25 with reference to the drawing figures which we shall now
briefly mention.
Brief_Descr,i~tion of the Drawings
Figure l is a perspective view of one embodiment of our
present invention.
30Figure 2 is a sectional view, taken along the plane 2-2
in Figure l, and slightly enlarged relative to Fiqure l.
Figure 3 is a fragmented sectional view, taken along the
lines 3-3 in Fiyure 2 and on an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is,"a fragmented sectional view of another
embodiment of our present invention, illustrating the tear
open spout. ~, , , ,, ,, ,
Figure 5 i5 a fragmented sectional view,, similar to
Figure 4, but illustrating the now torn-open spout.
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WO91/11366 PCT/US90/06613
Figure 6 ls a perspective view of still another
embodiment of our present invention.
Figure 7 is a sectional view, taken along the plane 7-7
in Figure 6, and slightly enlarged relative to Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a fragmented sectional view, generally taken
along the line 8 8 in Figure 7 and on an enlarged scale.
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer
to like parts.
Best Mode for CarrYinq Out the Invention
While our invention is suscept:ible to embodiment in
various f'orms, there is shown in the above mentioned drawings
and hereinafter described in detail several presently
preferred embodiments of our invention, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considPred
as merely an exempl~fication of our invention without
limitation to the specific embodiments illustrated.
As those skilled in the art well know, edge margins of
flexible plastic pouches can be joined continuously'utilizing
such sealing methods as heat-and-pressure, radio-frequency
20 welding, induction heatiny, solvent joining, or an adhesive.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,429 to Fabisiewic~ et
al.
Referring now to the drawings and initially to Figure l,
~ our improvement in a sealed container or pouch 20A will be
25 discussed in detail. ' `
The sealed pouch 2OA is made of a molecularly-
orientable, flexible polymeric *ilm that is seal~d along
peripheral edge margins.
' It is'well-known to those skilled in the art that
30 various thermoplastic sheek or film materials, typically used
in making flexible pouches or containers, whether blown,
rolled, cast, or di.e-extruded,-are molecularly directionally
orientable to some degree. For example, certa.in
~thermoplastic'sheet or film materials'can be intentionally
- 35~ oriented by stre1;ching in a predetermined direction. ~See,
: e.g.-, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,~29 to Fabisiewicz et''al.' In this 1'
regard, well-known molecularly~orientable materials include
polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. See, e.y.,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,8l5 to Bunch.
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W0 91tl l366 ~ PCr/US90/06673
The pouch 20A defines a sealed cavity 22A for
containment of a fluid "F". The pouch 20A also defines a
sealed fluid~discharge spout 24A that is in fluid
communication with th~ fluid cavity 22A.
The sealed spout 24A can be serpentine as shown in
Figures 1 through 3; or, in the alternative, either a
relatively straight, sealed spout 24B disposed at an acute
angle relative to cavity 22B (Figure 4) or an elongated,
sealed spout 24C having inwardly-dLisposed spout indents 25
(Figures 6-8) would be suitable for purposes of our present
invention. The pouch 20A further de~ines a sealed seam 26A
disposed between the fluid cavity 22A and the spout 24A.
The improvement comprises at least three essential
features.
One such feature is that a portion 28A of the polymeric
film which defines a fluid-discharge end of the spout 24A is
molecularly-oriented in a preselected direction. Dashed
lines are shown in Fiyures 1-3 (at portion 28A), in Figure 4
(at portion 28B), and in Figures 6-8 (at portion 28C), for
20 purposes of illustrating our preferred, preselected direction
of molecular orientation in the polymeric film of the pouch
of our present invention. Also, the polymeric ~ilm material
that we prefer to use, for purposes of achieving this feature
or aspect of our invention, is either molecularly-orientable
25 polyethylene or polypropylene. Further, film thickness is a
matter of design choice, in view of factors such as economic
considerations and fluids that are to be contained, as is
well known to those skilled in the art.
Another such feature of our improved pouch is that a
30 portion of the seam 26A defines a slit 30A, which completely
penetrates the film material and which is disposed transverse
- to the preselected direction of molecular orientation of the
polymeric film, such diraction of molecular orientation being
illustrated by portion 28A at the discharge end of sealed
35 ~spout 24A. The--slit:30A can be straight,~as shown in-Figures
1 through 3; or the slit 30B can be arcuate, as shown in
Figure 4. An elongated slit 30C, shown in Figures 6 through
8 and ~urther discussed hereinbelow, is still another
embodiment.
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Still another feature of the improved pouch of our
present invention is that a portion of the sealed pouch
peripheral edge margin in the vicinity of the fluid-discharge
end of sealed spout 24A defines a -tear-initiating notch 32A.
5 The notch 32A is located in the vicinity of that portion 28A
of the polymeric film which defines the fluid-discharge end
of sealed spout 24A and is oriented in the direction of
molecular orientation of the polymleric film. As a result,
after grasping sealed edge margins on opposite sides of the
10 notch with the fingers of both hands, a user is readily able
to tear the pouch edge margin, from the notch to the slit.
Because the orientation of the slit is transverse to the
direction of molecular orientation in ~he polymeric film, the
tear thus always terminates at the slit by our design. One
end 34A of the slit 30A preferably extends so far inwardly
into the seam 26A as to effectively terminate any tear
initiating at notch 32A. A like arrangement is shown in '''
Figure 4 relative to notch 32B, slit 30B, slit terminal end
34B, and seam 26B. Further, as is shown in Figure 1, the
20 remainder of slit 30A can totally sever an edge margin of
pouch 2OA, or as shown in Figure 4 can terminate in ~he edge
margin just short of severing the same. Preferably, the
amount of edge margin thus left unsevered is minimal,
enabling the corner 38B (Figure 4) of'the pouch 20B to be
25 readily ramoved from the remainder of the pouch edge margin
without causing und~sired fluid leakage from the cavity 22B
of the pouch 20B. Thus, in operation, propagation of the
tear from the notch 32B to the slit 30B, and tearing away the
removable corner 38B (Figure 4) from the edge margin of the
30 pouch 2OB, results in a pouch 2OB having a spout which, in
turn, has an open discharge end 36B':(Figure 5).
Reference is next invited back to Figures 1 and 2 for
purposes o~ discussing yet'another feature of`our present
invention.~ Such an illustrated embodiment of our pouch 20A
includes cavity indents 40 and 41 defined'by the:pouch~edge
margins and disposed inwardly into thé"cavity 22A.'' The
cavity indents 40 and 41 are so located relative to the
closed serpentine spout 24A, defined by upper edge margin ~2
of pouch 20A, as to enable a user to force fluid from cavity ''
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W091/11366 ~ J 6 - PCI/US~O/Ob673
22A into serpentine spout 24A by e~ertiny pressure on the
fluid contained in pouch 20A, via the pouch sidewalls, with
minimal deformation occurring in upper margin 42. Those
skilled in the art can appreciate t:hat deformation of upper
5 margin 42 would tend to restrict f]Low of fluid through
serpentine spout 24A.
The indents 40 and 41 (Figures 1 and 2) are not an
Pssential feature o~ our present invention, although
inclusion of such are presently preferred by us.
10 Accordingly, as those skilled in the art can well appreciate,
certain pouches incorporating the 1:hree above-discussed
essential features of our invention, but not including the
indents 40 and/or 41, can be manufactured if desired.
Reference is further invited to Figures 6 through 8 for
purposes of discussing still another feature of our pr~sent
invention. ~s is illustrated, tha spout 24C and searn 26C c~n
each be elongated; and the slit 30C can be elongated and so
inwardly disposed relative to the seam 26C as to locate the
seam inner end 34C at a point that is effective for forming
an upper edge margin flap 44 which defines the eionyated
spout 24C. After the corner 38C is removed from pouch 20C,
by initiating a tear in the spout end portion 28C from the
notch 32C to the slit 30C in the manner described above, the
flexible nature of the polymeric material of the pouch 20C
enables a user to flex the flap 44 out of a plane defined by
the remainder of the sealed upper edge margin of the pouch
2 OC, to thus direct the flow of f luid through elongated spout
24C if desired.
~ha spout inden~s 25, mentioned above, i-f present,
further control the flow of fluid through elongated spout
24C. The spout indents 25, like the elongated spout 24C, are
defined by the se.aled, upper edye margin of pouch 20C. As is
illustrated in Figures 6 through 8, the spout indents 25 are
located on opposite inner sidewalls of elongated spout 24C.
35 One purpose-of the spout indents 25 is to provide a means for
controlling fluid discharye~rate, within predetermined
limits, when a user is intentionally forcilly fluid through
the elongated spout 24C. Another purpose of tne spout
indents 25 is to minimize fluid discharge rate when a user is
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WO91/1136f~ _ 7 2 ~ 7 ~ OPCT/~S9~/0667~
unintentionally forcing fluid through the elongatec1 spout
~4C, as happens when an open pouch is passed from one user to
another. Still another purpose of the spout indents 25 is to
restrict flow of fluid through the elongated spout 2~C when
the pouch is no~ in use, as happens, for example, when the
pouch is unintentionally left on its side. Achieving these
various purposes will depend for example on the viscosity and
surfare tension of the contained fluid, the axial and
transverse dimensions of the elongated spout 24C, the
relative number of spout indents 25 disposed along the axial
direction of elongated spout 24C, and the spacing of
oppositely disposed spout indents 25 with respect to the
spout transverse direction.
What has been illustrated and described herein is an
improvement in a sealed pouch made of molecularly-orientable
polymeric film. While the improved pouch of the invention
has been illustrated and described with reference to several
preferred embodiments, our invention is not limited thereto.
On the contrary, alternatives, changes or modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. For example, while our pouch is shown
as including an upstanding base (Figures l and 6), a flat-
bottomed pouch of the type disclosed in V.S. Pat. No.
3,510,054 to Sanni et al. would be an obvious modification of
our present invention. Accordingly, such alternativeis,
chang~is and modifications are to be considered as forming a
part of our invention insofar as they fall within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims.
Indu~str_al AE~licability
The pouch of the present invention can conta.in a variety
of fluids such as shampoo and conditioner, shower and shaving
gels, shower and bath oil, hand and body lotion, mo.isturizing
cream, dish-washinq detergentj liquid hand soap, liquid
laundry detergent and stain remover, liquid automotive
35 products such as windshield-washer fluid, catsup and mustard,
salad dressing and jelly, liquid dairy products such as milk
and yogurt, and various beverages such as fruit juice, soft
drinks, mineral water and the like. Further, we hereby
deifine the term nfluid" broadly; and we, accordingly,
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contemplate utilizing our pouch to contain fluid-like,
pourable powders such as laundry detergents, household
cleaners, and the like.
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