Discrete pouch having a closure system secured thereto

Abstract

A discrete pouch is disclosed having a closure system transversely secured across an open end thereof. The discrete pouch includes first and second major surfaces joined together by a pair of sides. The discrete pouch also has a closed bottom, an open top, and a closure system secured to the second major surface adjacent to the open top. The discrete pouch is designed to have the open top sealed after it is filled with products and the closure system is capable of being opened and closed multiple times.

1 . A discrete pouch comprising:
 a) a first major surface having a transverse edge with a predetermined pattern formed therein, said transverse edge having a pair of opposite ends;   b) a second major surface aligned opposite to said first major surface, said second major surface having a transverse edge with said predetermined pattern formed therein, said predetermined pattern in said first and second major surfaces having a contiguous boundary, and said second major surface having an inner surface;   c) a pair of sides joined to said first and second major surfaces to form a tubular structure;   d) a seal extending transversely across said tubular structure to form a closed bottom; and   e) a closure system including a track having a first leg and a second leg, each leg having an outer surface, said outer surface of said first leg being secured to said inner surface of said second major surface adjacent to said transverse edge, said first and second legs being joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a member capable of being manually moved back and forth such that said opening/closing mechanism can be sequentially opened and closed, and said pair of opposite ends of said first major surface being secured to said outer surface of said second leg to form an open top located adjacent to said transverse edge of said first major surface, said open top being aligned opposite to said seal and being spaced apart therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein each of said pair of sides contains a gusset. 
     
     
         3 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein said seal is a K-shaped seal. 
     
     
         4 . The discrete pouch of  claim 3  wherein said K-shaped seal includes an elongated segment that extends between said pair of sides and two spaced apart shorter segments that angle outward from said elongated segment, and each of said shorter segments intersects with one of said pair of sides. 
     
     
         5 . The discrete pouch of  claim 4  wherein said two shorter segments extend away from said closed bottom. 
     
     
         6 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein said discrete pouch is formed from a laminate having at least two layers and at least one of said layers can prevent a liquid from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein said pair of sides is joined to said first and second major surfaces by four, spaced apart longitudinal bonds to form said tubular structure. 
     
     
         8 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein said discrete pouch is formed from a thermoplastic material and said predetermined pattern is cut from said first and second major surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The discrete pouch of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined pattern comprises a pair of spaced apart, approximately C-shaped configurations, and each of said pair of approximately C-shaped configurations has a base member with two legs extending outward from said base member. 
     
     
         10 . A discrete pouch comprising:
 a) a first major surface having a transverse edge with a predetermined pattern formed therein, said transverse edge having a pair of opposite ends;   b) a second major surface aligned opposite to said first major surface, said second major surface having a transverse edge with said predetermined pattern formed therein, said predetermined pattern in said first and second major surfaces having a contiguous boundary, and said second major surface having an inner surface;   c) a pair of sides joined to said first and second major surfaces by at least one longitudinal bond to form a tubular structure, each of said pair of sides containing a gusset, and said first and second major surfaces and said pair of sides being formed from an identical material;   d) a seal extending transversely across said tubular structure to form a closed bottom; and   e) a closure system including a track having a first leg and a second leg, each leg having an outer surface, said outer surface of said first leg being secured to said inner surface of said second major surface adjacent to said transverse edge, said first and second legs being joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a member capable of being manually moved back and forth such that said opening/closing mechanism can be sequentially opened and closed, and said pair of opposite ends of said first major surface being secured to said outer surface of said second leg to form an open top located adjacent to said transverse edge of said first major surface, said open top being aligned opposite to said seal and being spaced apart therefrom.   
     
     
         11 . The discrete pouch of  claim 10  wherein said at least one longitudinal bond and said seal are formed using heat and pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The discrete pouch of  claim 10  wherein said first and second major surfaces and said pair of sides are formed from a laminate having at least two layers, and at least one of said layers can prevent air from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The discrete pouch of  claim 10  wherein said seal is K-shaped and includes an elongated segment that extends between said pair of sides and two spaced apart shorter segments that angle outward from said elongated segment, and each of said shorter segments intersects with one of said pair of sides. 
     
     
         14 . The discrete pouch of  claim 10  wherein said closure system is a zipper. 
     
     
         15 . The discrete pouch of  claim 10  wherein said open top of said closure system is designed to be sealed after said discrete pouch is filled with articles. 
     
     
         16 . A discrete pouch comprising:
 a) a first major surface having a transverse edge with a predetermined pattern formed therein, said transverse edge having a pair of opposite ends;   b) a second major surface aligned opposite to said first major surface, said second major surface having a transverse edge with said predetermined pattern formed therein, said transverse edges of said first and second major surfaces being contiguous, said predetermined pattern being cut into both said first and second major surfaces and having a contiguous boundary, and said second major surface having an inner surface;   c) a pair of sides joined to said first and second major surfaces by at least one longitudinal bond to form a tubular structure, and each of said pair of sides containing a gusset;   d) a seal extending transversely across said tubular structure to form a closed bottom; and   e) a closure system including a track having a first leg and a second leg, each leg having an outer surface, said outer surface of said first leg being secured to said inner surface of said second major surface adjacent to said transverse edge, said first and second legs being joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a member capable of being manually moved back and forth such that said opening/closing mechanism can be sequentially opened and closed, and said pair of opposite ends of said first major surface being secured to said outer surface of said second leg to form an open top located adjacent to said transverse edge of said first major surface, said open top being aligned opposite to said seal and being spaced apart therefrom.   
     
     
         17 . The discrete pouch of  claim 16  wherein said open top is located between said pair of opposite ends of said first major surface. 
     
     
         18 . The discrete pouch of  claim 17  wherein said first major surface has a width and said open top extends across at least 75% of said width. 
     
     
         19 . The discrete pouch of  claim 16  wherein said closure system is a zipper. 
     
     
         20 . The discrete pouch of  claim 16  wherein said open top of said closure system is designed to be sealed after said discrete pouch is filled with articles.