Multi-compartment bag and method of making same

Abstract

A multi-compartment bag having at least two compartments of polymeric material, the subsequent compartments being monolithic with the first compartment having an interconnection of two spaced seal strips. There is also provided a method of making a multi-compartment bag.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-compartment bag, comprising:
 a first compartment of polymeric material having a first closed or closable end; and   a second compartment of polymeric material that is monolithic with said first compartment and having a second closed or closable end(s), wherein said first and second compartments are joined along an intermediate section spaced between their closed or closable ends to form at least one interconnecting heat seal strip therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said compartments includes micro or macro-perforations. 
     
     
         3 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 2  wherein said perforations are spaced along a substantial portion of a surface of said bag. 
     
     
         4 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second compartments are joined along an interconnecting seal strip extending perpendicular to said interconnecting heat seal strip(s). 
     
     
         5 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 4  wherein said first and second compartments are in the form of a single sheet of polymeric material of generally tubular configuration with confronting edges joined together to define said interconnecting seal strip and said interconnecting heat seal strip(s) traversing the circumference of said bag including said interconnecting seal strip. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 5  wherein said confronting edges of said interconnecting seal strip are folded against an external wall surface of said first and second compartments. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 1  wherein said seal strip(s) are offset to define first and second compartments of different size. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-compartment bag in the form of a flattened generally tubular member formed out of a sheet of polymeric material;
 said sheet having confronting longitudinal edges extending the length of said tubular member, said edges being joined together and folded against an outer surface of said bag;   opposite ends of said bag being closed; and   an intermediate seal strip dividing said bag into compartments of unequal size sealed from one another.   
     
     
         9 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 8  wherein said intermediate seal strip comprises a pair of spaced parallel seal strips. 
     
     
         10 . A multi-compartment bag according to  claim 8  wherein at least one of said compartments includes micro-perforations in a wall of said compartment. 
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a multi-compartment bag comprising the steps of;
 providing a generally rectangular sheet of film of polymeric material;   joining longitudinal edges of said sheet together;   heat-sealing ends to close opposite ends of a continuous bag; and   heat-sealing an intermediate portion of said bag in a direction parallel to said opposite ends whereby to define a pair of separate compartments in said bag.   
     
     
         12 . The method of producing the multi-compartment bag according to  claim 11  including the step of folding said longitudinal edges of said sheet against an external wall surface of said bag. 
     
     
         13 . A method of producing and filling a multi-compartment bag comprising the steps of;
 providing a generally rectangular sheet of film of polymeric material;   joining longitudinal edges of said sheet together;   creating dual heat seals on ends to close opposite ends of a continuous bag;   separating said dual heat seals;   filling said bag with a pre-determined weight of product;   heat-sealing an intermediate portion of said bag with dual strips in a direction parallel to said opposite ends whereby to define a pair of separate compartments in said bag;   filling a separate compartment with a pre-determined weight of product; and   applying a dual heat seal on an end of said separate compartment to close said compartment.   
     
     
         14 . The method of producing and filling the multi-compartment bag according to  claim 13  including the step of creating intermittent perforations on a surface of said bag.