Pouch with pierceable channel

Abstract

A container that includes a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel sealed together to form a pouch having a first and second side, a gusseted bottom, and a compartment. At one point of the container the seal that seals the panels together forms a channel. The channel leads towards the interior compartment of the pouch and has one or more frangible piercing points that act as a barrier between the compartment and the exterior of the pouch. The frangible piercing point at the end of the column is punctured to remove the materials from the pouch. The present invention pouch further comprises a straw to effectuate piercing the piercing opening to discharge the material.

1 . A flexible pouch comprising: 
 a compartment formed by a first panel sealed to a second panel; and    a column disposed between the first panel and the second panel, the column being open at an external end and sealed at an internal point.    
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the sealed internal point is a first piercing point.  
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 2  further comprising a straw for piercing the piercing point.  
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 3  wherein the straw is pointed.  
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the column is tapered so as to be wider at the external end.  
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the column is defined by a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall of the column extends inwardly toward the compartment.  
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 6  wherein the column extending inwardly beyond the piercing point.  
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the column further comprises a second piercing point.  
     
     
         9 . The pouch of  claim 2  wherein the first panel further comprises a cutout, the cutout positioned on the external end of the column.  
     
     
         10 . The pouch of  claim 9  wherein the cutout exposes an internal surface of the second panel.  
     
     
         11 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the first panel is sealed to the second panel along a perimeter.  
     
     
         12 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein the perimeter further comprises a gap in the seal along the perimeter, the gap forming the external end of the column.  
     
     
         13 . The pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a removable portion that covers the external end of the column.  
     
     
         14 . The pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a third panel sealed between the first panel and the second panel, the third panel forming a gusseted bottom.  
     
     
         15 . A method of making a flexible pouch comprising: 
 sealing a first panel and a second panel together to form a compartment; and    forming a column extending into the compartment, an interior point of the column further comprising a frangible piercing point.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the frangible piercing point piercable by a straw.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming the column of a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall extending beyond the frangible piercing point such that the straw is guided into the interior of the compartment after it pierces the piercing point.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein one of the first panel and second panel further comprise a cutout operably positioned at an external end of the column.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising forming a removable section that covers an external end of the column wherein when the removable section is removed, the external end of the column is operably exposed for inserting the straw therethrough.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising forming a second piercing point in the column.  
     
     
         21 . A flexible pouch for storing a juice product comprising: 
 a compartment defined by a panel, the panel formed of a multi-layer laminate; and    a column extending through the panel and into the compartment, the column further comprising a frangible piercing point disposed in the column, whereby the column is conFIG.d to receive a straw, the straw designed to pierce the piercing point for removal of the juice from the compartment.