Multi-compartment flexible package

Abstract

A flexible package having multiple compartments is described and depicted. The package can include an internal compartment panel to define first and second package cavities or compartments. Two adjacent but opposing access openings can be provided proximate a top portion of the package to define separate access into the distinct compartments, without a need to open or remove the top or handle portion of the package.

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11 / 857,292 filed Sep. 18, 2007, which in turn is a division of application Ser. No. 10 / 456,971 filed Jun. 6, 2003, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 386,798 filed Jun. 6, 2002, this application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 038,877 filed Mar. 24, 2008, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to flexible packaging having multiple compartments and corresponding opposing openings.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Conventional flexible packaging does not generally include compartments within the internal cavity of the package. Those packages that do, lack conveniently placed and accessible compartment openings for filling, pouring or otherwise using the separate compartments. Disti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]A top seal portion of the package is provided intermediate the openings and provides a top dividing portion between the compartments such that the openings open out away from the top seal. Moreover, the package can include one or more handle portions, such as an aperture in the top seal portion of the package. In one embodiment, an alternate slit access opening can be provided on one or more of the outside panels, such as the front or back panels, between the handle portion and the access device. This slit opening enables filling of the package even though the top handle portion may be sealed and the access device closed. As such, the package of the present invention can provide separate accessibility or closeability for multiple separate compartments, or the ability to access the separate openings of the compartments without tearing off or otherwise removing the top package seal or handle portion of the package.

[0007]The internal panel can be uniquely sealed within the inner cavity at an inner surface of the front or back panels. Such a package configuration provides convenient and opposing dual accessibility into the compartments.

Problems solved by technology

Those packages that do, lack conveniently placed and accessible compartment openings for filling, pouring or otherwise using the separate compartments.

Distinct and selectively usable compartments within the cavity are not provided for in these conventional package designs.

Further, conventional packages fail to allow for adequate handling of a package with a unique multi-compartment configuration.

Moreover, these conventional packages do not provide distinct accessibility or closeability for multiple separate compartments, or the ability to access the separate openings of the compartments without tearing off or otherwise removing the top package seal or handle portion of the package.

Images