Pouch with frangible piercing point

Abstract

A flexible pouch is provided that includes a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The first, second, and third panels are sealed together to form the pouch which includes a first and second side. Each panel is made of a laminate material that can be heat sealed or sonic welded together to form the flexible pouch. One panel further comprises a frangible piercing point designed to be pierced by a straw. The frangible piercing point is made by applying laser energy in a desired pattern to vaporize the outer polyester portion of the laminate material of the pouch. Only laminate material from the outside of the selected panel is removed using the laser to create the frangible piercing point.

1 . A pouch comprising: 
 a compartment;    a multi-layer panel having an interior surface coextensive with the compartment and an external surface; and    a frangible piercing area disposed on the external surface, wherein the frangible piercing area is defined by a continuous arcuate channel created through at least one layer of the multi-layer panel.    
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the channel defines the perimeter of a geometric shape.  
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the shape is a circle.  
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the shape is a teardrop.  
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the shape is a U shape.  
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the channel further comprises a hinge.  
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 2  further comprising a first adhesive layer between the exterior plastic layer and the interior metal foil layer.  
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 2  further comprising a second continuous arcuate channel defined through at least one layer of the multi-layer panel.  
     
     
         9 . A pouch, comprising: 
 a compartment formed by an at least one multi-layer laminate panel that include an exterior layer, wherein the laminate of the panel includes a frangible piercing point adapted to receive a straw, the frangible piercing point defined by a line of weakness that includes a hinge portion whereby when the frangible piercing point is pierced, the frangible piercing point remains coupled to the laminate material.    
     
     
         10 . A container for juice, the container comprising: 
 a compartment formed by operably sealing a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, the first, second, and third panel formed from a multi-layer metal foil laminate that includes an exterior layer, the compartment containing the juice; and    a frangible piercing point adapted to receive a straw, the frangible piercing point defined by a line of weakness including a hinge portion, whereby when the frangible piercing point is pierced, the line of weakness formed from a delaminated strip of the exterior portion of the multi-layer laminate material of the first panel.    
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a pouch, the method comprising: 
 supplying a flexible multi-layer sealable laminate material having an exterior layer;    applying laser energy to the exterior plastic layer in a strip to form a desired shape, the shape including one section that is not delaminated and wherein the shape defines a frangible piercing point;    cutting the flexible multi-layer laminate material into panels; and    forming the panels into a pouch, wherein the frangible piercing point is situated on an exterior portion of the pouch in a desired position.    
     
     
         12 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein the strip defines the perimeter of a geometric shape.  
     
     
         13 . The pouch of  claim 12  wherein the shape is a circle.  
     
     
         14 . The pouch of  claim 12  wherein the shape is a teardrop.  
     
     
         15 . The pouch of  claim 12  wherein the shape is a U shape.  
     
     
         16 . The pouch of  claim 12  wherein the strip further comprises a hinge.  
     
     
         17 . The pouch of  claim 12  further comprising a forming second continuous strip defined through at least one layer of the multi-layer panel.