Metering pouch for dispensing flowable product

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter is a novel adaptation of a pouch that enables the measurement and dispensing of unit doses of flowable products. Particularly, the disclosed pouch utilizes the addition of a separate section of film that separates the pouch into a main reservoir and a dispensing reservoir. The use of the dividing film allows the structural integrity of the pouch to remain intact. The dividing film also comprises an opening that allows communication between the two reservoirs to achieve dispensing of the flowable product.

1 . A dispensing pouch for dispensing a flowable product, said pouch comprising:
 a) a main reservoir;   b) a dispensing reservoir; and   c) a diaphragm separating the main reservoir from the dispensing reservoir, wherein the diaphragm comprises:
 i) a piece of film sealed about its circumference to the inside surface of the pouch; and 
 ii) an opening to allow communication between the reservoirs; 
   wherein said dispensing reservoir comprises a pouch exit to allow the flowable product to be dispensed from the pouch.   
   
   
       2 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said main reservoir or dispensing reservoir is fully or partially transparent to visualize said flowable product. 
   
   
       3 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing reservoir is demarcated to accommodate metered dispensing. 
   
   
       4 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 3 , wherein at least one surface of said main reservoir or said dispensing reservoir is opaque to facilitate reading of said demarcations. 
   
   
       5 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said dispensing reservoir further comprises a notch to facilitate opening of the pouch. 
   
   
       6 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said pouch is a stand-up pouch, having a base for supporting the pouch in an upright position. 
   
   
       7 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 6 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises a w-shaped base. 
   
   
       8 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 6 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises gusseted reinforcement. 
   
   
       9 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said diaphragm is configured in a v-shape. 
   
   
       10 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein said opening is selected from the group comprising: a one-way valve, a hole, a slit, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein said opening comprises a gap between the diaphragm and one edge of said pouch. 
   
   
       12 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 1 , wherein said pouch exit comprises a tear, a perforated tear, a fitment, a pour spout, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . A method of dispensing a flowable product from a pouch, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a dispensing pouch comprising:
 i) a main reservoir; 
 ii) a dispensing reservoir comprising a pouch exit to allow the flowable product to be dispensed from the pouch; and 
 iii) a diaphragm separating the main reservoir from the dispensing reservoir, wherein the diaphragm comprises a piece of film sealed about its circumference to the inside surface of the pouch and an opening to allow communication between the reservoirs; 
   (b) filling the main reservoir of said pouch with said flowable product;   (c) initiating an exit in said dispensing reservoir;   (d) either:
 a. applying pressure to said main reservoir to force flowable product through the diaphragm opening into said dispensing reservoir until a measured amount of flowable product has been transferred and then applying pressure to said dispensing reservoir to force flowable product through the exit and out of the pouch; or 
 a. positioning said pouch to allow the flowable product to gravity-flow from said main reservoir through the diaphragm opening into said dispensing reservoir until a measured amount of flowable product has been transferred and then positioning said dispensing reservoir to allow the flowable product to gravity-flow through the exit and out of the pouch. 
   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said main reservoir or dispensing reservoir is fully or partially transparent. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said dispensing reservoir is demarcated to accommodate metered dispensing. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least one surface of said main reservoir or said dispensing reservoir is opaque to facilitate reading or deciphering of said demarcations. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said dispensing reservoir comprises a notch to facilitate opening of the pouch. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pouch comprises a stand-up pouch, having a base for supporting the pouch in an upright position. 
   
   
       19 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 18 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises a w-shaped base. 
   
   
       20 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 18 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises gusseted reinforcement. 
   
   
       21 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 13 , wherein said opening is selected from the group comprising: a one-way valve, a hole, a slit, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       22 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 13 , wherein said opening comprises a gap between the diaphragm and one edge of said pouch. 
   
   
       23 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 13 , wherein said pouch exit comprises a tear, a perforated tear, a fitment, a pour spout, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       24 . A method of making a dispensing system, comprising
 (a) providing a dispensing pouch comprising:
 i) a main reservoir; 
 ii) a dispensing reservoir comprising a pouch exit to the flowable product to be dispensed from the pouch; and 
 iii) a diaphragm separating the main reservoir from the dispensing reservoir, wherein the diaphragm comprises a piece of film sealed about its circumference to the inside surface of the pouch and an opening to allow communication between the reservoirs; 
   (c) filling the main reservoir of said pouch with said flowable product;   (d) initiating an exit in said dispensing reservoir; and   (e) either:
 a. applying pressure to said main reservoir to force flowable product through the diaphragm opening into said dispensing reservoir until a measured amount of flowable product has been transferred and then applying pressure to said dispensing reservoir to force flowable product through the exit and out of the pouch; or 
 b. positioning said pouch to allow the flowable product to gravity-flow from said main reservoir through the diaphragm opening into said dispensing reservoir until a measured amount of flowable product has been transferred and then positioning said dispensing reservoir to allow the flowable product to gravity-flow through the exit and out of the pouch. 
   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said main reservoir or dispensing reservoir is fully or partially transparent. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said dispensing reservoir is demarcated to accommodate metered dispensing. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least one surface of said main reservoir or said dispensing reservoir is opaque to facilitate reading or deciphering of said demarcations. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said dispensing reservoir comprises a notch to facilitate opening of the pouch. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said pouch comprises a stand-up pouch, having a base for supporting the pouch in an upright position. 
   
   
       30 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 29 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises a w-shaped base. 
   
   
       31 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 29 , wherein said stand-up pouch comprises gusseted reinforcement. 
   
   
       32 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 24 , wherein said opening is selected from the group comprising: a one-way valve, a hole, a slit, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       33 . The dispensing reservoir of  claim 24 , wherein said opening comprises a gap between the diaphragm and one edge of said pouch. 
   
   
       34 . The dispensing pouch of  claim 24 , wherein said pouch exit comprises a tear, a perforated tear, a fitment, a pour spout, or combinations thereof.