Multiple compartment pouch with multiple dispensing channels

Abstract

A multiple compartment flexible pouch which, when comprising compositions, is designed to be used to refill a multiple compartment container. The multiple compartment pouch comprises at least a first and at least a second compartment, at least a first dispensing channel sealed into an opening in the first compartment and at least a second dispensing channel sealed into an opening in the second compartment. In a preferred embodiment the first and second dispensing channels form part of a dispensing channel unit.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch ( 1 ) comprising at least a first ( 3 ) and at least a second ( 4 ) compartment, at least a first dispensing channel ( 11 ) sealed into an opening in the first compartment ( 3 ) and at least a second dispensing channel ( 12 ) sealed into an opening in the second compartment ( 4 ) and wherein compositions in each of the compartments are dispensed from the corresponding dispensing channel without causing to mix.  
     
     
         2 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a third compartment and a third dispensing channel sealed into the third compartment.  
     
     
         3 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said first ( 11 ) and second ( 12 ) dispensing channels are connected to one another to form a single dispensing channel unit ( 13 ).  
     
     
         4 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 3  wherein said single dispensing channel unit ( 13 ) is pre-molded before being sealed into the openings of the first and second compartments.  
     
     
         5 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 3  wherein the dispensing channel unit ( 13 ) comprises a first section ( 14 ) providing a dispensing channel ( 11 , 12 ) and an adjacent second section ( 15 ) set at an angle to the first section ( 14 ).  
     
     
         6 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 5  wherein the first ( 14 ) and second ( 15 ) sections of the dispensing channel unit ( 13 ) have tapered ends ( 16 ,  17 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         7 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 3  wherein the pouch ( 1 ), the dispensing channel ( 11 ,  12 ) and the dispensing channel unit ( 13 ) are made from heat sealable material.  
     
     
         8 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 3  wherein at least one exterior surface of the dispensing channel or dispensing channel unit is ribbed ( 19 ).  
     
     
         9 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 1  wherein one or both of the dispensing channels extend beyond the compartments of the pouch.  
     
     
         10 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the dispensing channels are designed to spatially cooperate with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container.  
     
     
         11 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 10  wherein the dispensing channels ( 11 ,  12 ) are designed to spatially cooperate with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container only when in a predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         12 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the dispensing channels ( 11 ,  12 ) are closed.  
     
     
         13 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to  claim 12  wherein the dispensing channels ( 11 ,  12 ) are closed by a rupturable film that is sealed across the end of the channel that is exposed to the atmosphere.  
     
     
         14 . A process of refilling a multiple compartment container comprising multiple refilling orifices and comprising a composition in each compartment, said process comprising connecting the channels ( 11 ,  12 ) of a multiple compartment pouch ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  with the refilling orifices of the container and orienting the pouch such that the compositions flow into the container.  
     
     
         15 . A method of using the multiple compartment pouch ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  to refill a multiple compartment container wherein the pouch further comprises a first and second composition in the compartments of the pouch.  
     
     
         16 . A dispensing channel unit ( 13 ) suitable for use with a multiple compartment flexible pouch ( 1 ) comprising a first section ( 14 ) providing a dispensing channel ( 11 ,  12 ) and a adjacent second section ( 15 ) set at an angle to the first section, and wherein the first ( 14 ) and second sections ( 15 ) have tapered ends ( 16 ,  17 ,  18 ).  
     
     
         17 . A dispensing channel unit according to  claim 16  made from a heat sealable material.  
     
     
         18 . A dispensing channel unit according to  claim 17  wherein the heat-sealable material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A dispensing channel unit according to  claim 16  wherein the exterior surface of the first ( 14 ) and second ( 15 ) sections are ribbed ( 19 ).  
     
     
         20 . A multiple compartment flexible pouch ( 1 ) comprising at least a first ( 3 ) and at least a second ( 4 ) compartment, at least a first dispensing channel ( 11 ) sealed into an opening in the first compartment ( 3 ) and at least a second dispensing channel ( 12 ) sealed into an opening in the second compartment ( 4 ) and wherein compositions in each of the compartments are dispensed from the corresponding dispensing channel without causing to mix, and wherein the dispensing channels are designed to spatially cooperate with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container.