Frangible seals for multiple compartment bags, multiple compartment bags incorporating the same, and methods of forming the same

Abstract

A multiple compartment bag is provided. The bag includes opposite walls and a seal connecting the opposite walls and dividing the bag into a first compartment extending from a first side of the seal and a second compartment extending from a second side of the seal opposite the first side. The seal includes a length and each of the first and second sides spans the length. The seal also includes a first section along the seal length that has a first peel strength and a second section along the seal length adjacent to the first section that has a second peel strength greater than the first peel strength.

1 . A multiple compartment bag comprising:
 opposite walls; and   a seal connecting said opposite walls and dividing said bag into a first compartment extending from a first side of the seal and a second compartment extending from a second side of the seal opposite the first side, wherein said seal comprises a length, wherein each of said first and second sides spans said length, and wherein a first section of the seal along the seal length has a first peel strength and wherein a second section of the seal along the seal length adjacent the first section has a second peel strength, wherein the second peel strength is greater than the first peel strength.   
     
     
         2 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein said opposite walls are attached together along their periphery forming another seal having said second peel strength. 
     
     
         3 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second peel strength is at least 90% of the tensile strength of a wall of said opposite walls of the bag. 
     
     
         4 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second peel strength is at least 98% of the tensile strength of a wall of said opposite walls the bag. 
     
     
         5 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second peel strength is at least equal to the tensile strength of the wall. 
     
     
         6 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first peel strength is not greater than 13 lbs/in. 
     
     
         7 . The bag as recited in  claim 6  wherein the first peel strength is not less than 3 lbs/in. 
     
     
         8 . The bag as recited in  claim 7  wherein the second peel strength is at least 90% of the tensile strength of a wall of the bag. 
     
     
         9 . The bag as recited in  claim 8  wherein the second peel strength is at least 98% of the tensile strength of a wall of the bag. 
     
     
         10 . The bag as recited in  claim 9  wherein the first peel strength is in the range of 5 lbs/in to 9 lbs/in. 
     
     
         11 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first peel strength is in the range of 5 lbs/in to 9 lbs/in. 
     
     
         12 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the peel strength of said seal along said first side is greater than along the second side. 
     
     
         13 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the seal further comprises a third section along the seal length adjacent the second section having said first peel strength and a fourth section along the seal length adjacent the third section having said second peel strength. 
     
     
         14 . The bag as recited in  claim 13  wherein each of the first and third sections have a length greater than each of the second and fourth section along each side of the seal. 
     
     
         15 . The bag as recited in  claim 14  wherein said first, second, third and fourth sections are each trapezoidal in plan view and each have a length along the first and along the second side of the seal, wherein the length of each of the first and third sections along the first side is shorter than their corresponding length along the second side, and wherein the length of each of the second and fourth sections along the first side is longer than their corresponding length along the second side. 
     
     
         16 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein said seal comprises a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections, wherein each of said first sections is adjacent to a second section of said plurality of second sections. 
     
     
         17 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein said seal defines a vertex along the length of the seal whereby a first portion of the seal along the seal length extends at an angle relative to a second portion of the seal along the seal length. 
     
     
         18 . The bag as recited in  claim 17  wherein the seal further comprises a third portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion and a fourth portion extending at an angle relative to the second portion and opposite the third portion. 
     
     
         19 . The bag as recited in  claim 18  wherein the two walls are attached to each other at a periphery of each wall, and wherein the third and fourth portions are aligned with each other and each extend to said periphery. 
     
     
         20 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the bag is formed by attaching the two walls to each other along a periphery of each wall forming a seam, wherein the seam comprises a first side, a second side extending from the seam first side and a third side extending from the seam first side and spaced apart from the seam second side, wherein the bag further comprises at least a port between the seam second and third sides and wherein the seal extends from the seam second side to the seam third side. 
     
     
         21 . The bag as recited in  claim 20  wherein said seal defines a vertex along the length of the seal whereby a first portion of the seal along the seal length extends at an angle relative to a second portion of the seal along the seal length. 
     
     
         22 . The bag as recited in  claim 21  wherein the seal further comprises a third portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion and a fourth portion extending at an angle relative to the second portion and opposite the third portion. 
     
     
         23 . The bag as recited in  claim 1  wherein the bag is formed by attaching the two walls to each other along a periphery of each wall forming a seam, wherein the seam comprises a first side, a second side extending from the seam first side and a third side extending from the seam first side and spaced apart from the seam second side, wherein the bag comprises at least a port between the seam second and third sides and wherein the seal forms a loop in plan view beginning and ending at said seam first side and wherein a column is defined in the bag between said seal and said seam second side. 
     
     
         24 . The bag as recited in  claim 23  further comprising graduations formed on one of said walls along said column. 
     
     
         25 . A multiple compartment bag comprising:
 opposite walls;   a first seal connecting said opposite walls defining a first compartment, said first seal having a first peel strength;   a second seal connecting said opposite walls and extending from the first seal, said second seal having a second peel strength, wherein a second compartment is defined adjacent the first compartment bounded by said first and second seals, and wherein a third compartment is defined adjacent said first and said second compartments and bounded by said first and second seals, wherein said second peel strength is lower than said first peel strength.   
     
     
         26 . The bag as recited in  claim 25  wherein said first seal comprises a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections, wherein each of said plurality of first sections is adjacent a second section of said plurality of second sections, wherein each first section has a third peel strength and wherein each of said second sections has a fourth peel strength, wherein said fourth peel strength is greater than said third peel strength.