Flexible multi-compartment packet and method for making the same

Abstract

Flexible, multi-compartment packets and methods for making the same are described. One described packet includes a a flexible front sheet, and a flexible back sheet having substantially the same size and shape as the flexible front sheet, the flexible back sheet joined to the flexible front sheet to form a peelable packet having a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment of the packet is configured to substantially contain a material, and the second compartment is configured to contain at least part of an applicator for applying the material. In one described packet, the applicator has two ends and a shaft. The first end is contained in the first compartment, the second end is contained in the second compartment, and the seal between the first and second compartments is formed around the shaft of the applicator.

1 . A flexible multi-compartment packet, comprising: 
 a flexible front sheet; and    a flexible back sheet having substantially the same size and shape as the flexible front sheet, the flexible back sheet joined to the flexible front sheet to form a peelable packet having a first compartment and a second compartment,    wherein the first compartment is configured to substantially contain a material and the second compartment is configured to contain at least part of an applicator for applying the material.    
   
   
       2 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible front sheet and the flexible back sheet are part of a single flexible sheet that has been folded to create the flexible front sheet and flexible back sheet.  
   
   
       3 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible front sheet and flexible back sheet are joined by one or more seals.  
   
   
       4 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein, the flexible front sheet comprises a first side and a second side, which are parallel to one another, and a third and a fourth side, which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first side and the second side.  
   
   
       5 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 4 , further comprising a first seal extending between the corresponding first and second sides of the front flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet to form the first compartment.  
   
   
       6 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 5 , wherein the first seal resembles the letter “V.” 
   
   
       7 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second compartment are substantially the same size.  
   
   
       8 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator extends from the second compartment into the first compartment.  
   
   
       9 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 8 , wherein the applicator comprises a shaft and wherein a seal between the first flexible sheet and second flexible sheet extends around the shaft of the applicator.  
   
   
       10 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 9 , wherein the shaft comprises a first end and a second end, the first end at least partially covered by a tip, the shaft extending from the second compartment into the first compartment, the first end contained within the first compartment, and the second end contained in the second compartment.  
   
   
       11 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 10 , wherein the tip comprises at least one of cotton, foam, or rayon.  
   
   
       12 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises one of a liquid, a gel, a solid, or a powder.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises one of a burn ointment, a tooth whitener, or a makeup product.  
   
   
       14 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is completely contained within the second compartment.  
   
   
       15 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises one of a cotton ball, a gauze pad, foam pad, or a sponge.  
   
   
       16 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible front sheet and the flexible back sheet comprise a peelable film.  
   
   
       17 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 16 , wherein the peelable film comprises a lidding film.  
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a flexible multi-compartment packet, the method comprising: 
 partially sealing two layers of multilayered film to create a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having a fill opening defined by the seal between the first compartment and the second compartment;    injecting a material into the first compartment;    sealing the two layers of multilayered film to close the fill opening;    inserting an applicator into the second compartment; and    completing the seal between the two layers of multilayered film complete the packet.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the applicator comprises a shaft and further comprising before sealing the two layers of multilayered film to close the fill opening, inserting a first end of the applicator through the fill opening into the first compartment and wherein sealing the two layers of multilayered film to close the fill opening comprises sealing the two layers of multilayered film across the shaft of the applicator.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein partially sealing the two layers of multilayered film comprises folding the multilayered film.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising cutting the multilayered film to complete the multi-compartment packet.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein cutting the multilayered film to complete the multi-compartment packet comprises die cutting the packet to form a pre-defined shape.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising perforating the packet.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising cutting a hang hole into the packet.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising stamping a date on the packet.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising sterilizing the packet.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein sealing the packet comprises applying a metal tool to the packet.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the metal tool comprises two surfaces, each of the two surfaces having a layer of rubber capable of sealing the multilayer film around a shaft of an applicator.  
   
   
       29 . A flexible multi-compartment packet, comprising: 
 a flexible front sheet; and    a flexible back sheet having substantially the same size and shape as the flexible front sheet, the flexible back sheet joined to the flexible front sheet to form a peelable packet having a first compartment and a second compartment,    a surgical instrument having a shaft, a first end, and a second end, the first end contained in the first compartment and the second end contained in the second compartment, and the shaft extending through a seal between the first compartment and the second compartment.    
   
   
       30 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 29 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises an applicator.  
   
   
       31 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 30 , wherein the first end of the applicator comprises a tip.  
   
   
       32 . The flexible multi-compartment packet of  claim 31 , wherein the tip comprises at least one of cotton, foam, or rayon.  
   
   
       33 . A method of manufacturing a flexible multi-compartment packet, the method comprising: 
 partially sealing two layers of multilayered film to create a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment having a fill opening defined by the seal between the first compartment and the second compartment;    inserting a surgical instrument having a first end, a second end, and a shaft through the fill opening such that the first end is in the first compartment, and the second end is in the second compartment;    sealing the two layers of multilayered film around the shaft of the surgical instrument to close the fill opening; and    completing the seal between the two layers of multilayered film complete the packet.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein surgical instrument comprises an applicator swab.