Flexible pouch with memory support strips and methods of producing and using same

Abstract

A flexible pouch has support strips of material attached to at least a portion of a sidewall thereof; the support strips of material possess memory so as to assist the pouch in substantially retaining an original shape thereof after handling. Flexible pouches having a product disposed therein are also disclosed, along with kits containing same. In addition, methods of producing the flexible pouches and packaged products are also disclosed.

1 . A flexible pouch in which a product may be packaged, the flexible comprising:
 a sidewall formed from a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having a first side edge, a second side edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and the second panel having a first side edge, a second side edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge, wherein the first side edges of the first and second panels are connected to one another and peripherally sealed substantially along the lengths thereof to form a first vertical side fin seal of the flexible pouch, and wherein the second side edges of the first and second panels are connected to one another and peripherally sealed substantially along the lengths thereof to form a second vertical side fin seal of the flexible pouch;   a gusseted lower end, wherein the first panel and second panel are connected to the gusseted lower end substantially along the widths thereof; and   two support strips of material, each attached to at least a portion of the sidewall and extending in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the two support strips of material are formed of a pliable but substantially non-malleable material such that each support strip possesses a memory feature whereby the support strips are moveable when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch during handling but that assume their original shape upon removal of the pressure therefrom, thereby allowing the flexible pouch to substantially retain its original shape after being handled.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support strips of material are each attached to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support strips of material are each attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second support strips of material is attached to at least a portion of the inner surface of the sidewall, and the other support strip of material is attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the upper edges of the first panel and second panel are connected to one another along a portion of the widths thereof to form an upper end of the flexible pouch, and wherein a portion of the upper edges are left unconnected and thereby provide an opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch through which contents can be disposed therein and/or dispensed therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible pouch of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one of:
 A) at least one cap releasably attached to the opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch;   B) at least one dispensing device;   C) at least one device that allows the flexible pouch to be resealed; or   D) combinations thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the two support strips of material are disposed opposite to one another and extend substantially the entire length of the first and/or second panel, substantially from the upper edge thereof to substantially the lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the two support strips of material are further defined as a first support strip of material disposed within at least a portion of the first vertical side fin seal during formation thereof and a second support strip of material disposed within at least a portion of the second vertical side fin seal during formation thereof, whereby the first and second vertical side fin seals of the flexible pouch assume their original shape and disposition upon removal of pressure therefrom and thereby allow the flexible pouch to substantially retain its original shape after being handled. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible pouch of  claim 8 , wherein the first support strip of material extends substantially the entire length of the first vertical side fin seal, and wherein the second support strip of material extends substantially the entire length of the second vertical side fin seal. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second support strips of material are each formed from a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a flexible pouch, the flexible pouch having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the sidewall defines a receiving space that extends substantially between the upper end and the lower end of the flexible pouch, and wherein the upper end has an opening extending therethrough that provides access to the receiving space, the method comprising the steps of:
 peripherally sealing a portion of a first panel and a portion of a second panel to one another to form the sidewall of the flexible pouch, wherein a first vertical side fin seal, a second vertical side fin seal, and the receiving space are formed therein;   attaching a gusseted lower end to the first panel and second panel substantially along the widths thereof; and   attaching at least a portion of a first support strip of material to the sidewall such that the first support strip extends in a substantially vertical position thereon;   attaching at least a portion of a second support strip of material to the sidewall such that the second support strip extends in a substantially vertical position thereon;   wherein the two support strips of material are formed of a pliable but substantially non-malleable material such that each support strip possesses a memory feature whereby the support strips are moveable when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch during handling but that assume their original shape upon removal of the pressure therefrom, thereby allowing the flexible pouch to substantially retain its original shape after being handled.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible pouch is selected from the group consisting of those claimed in  claim 1 - claim 10 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of sealing the first and second panels to one another further comprises the steps of connecting an upper edge of the first panel to an upper edge of the second panel along a portion of the widths thereof to form an upper end of the flexible pouch, wherein a portion of the upper edges are left unconnected and thereby provide an opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch through which contents can be disposed therein and/or dispensed therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of disposing a predetermined quantity of a product within the flexible pouch and releasably sealing the product therewithin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of baby food, juice, fruit and/or vegetable purees, beverages, beverage concentrate and/or drink mixes, other liquid products, condiments, granulated products, processed meat and/or poultry, pet food, pet treats, pet supplies, refrigerated/frozen foods, dairy products, dairy products, candy and confectionary items, baking supplies, puddings, creams, vegetables, fruit, vegetable and/or fruit-based products, health food products, baked goods, dried fruits and/or nuts, snack foods, breakfast foods, cleaning and other household supplies, health and beauty products, pharmaceutical products, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of releasably attaching a cap to the opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of attaching a device that allows the opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch to be resealed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of attaching at least one dispensing device to the opening in the upper end of the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second support strips of material are disposed opposite one another and extend substantially the entire length of the first and/or second panel, substantially from the upper edge thereof to substantially the lower edge thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of attaching the first support strip of material to the sidewall is further defined as disposing at least a portion of the first support strip of material within at least a portion of the first vertical side fin seal during formation thereof, and wherein the step of attaching the second support strip of material to the sidewall is further defined as disposing at least a portion of the second support strip of material within at least a portion of the second vertical side fin seal during formation thereof.