Flexible pouch with reinforced side seal

Abstract

A flexible pouch formed of a sheet of laminate material sealed together along its edges forming an outer peripheral side seal having an inner peripheral side seal is provided. The inner peripheral side seal extends generally from a top edge of the pouch body and is adjacent the proximal edge of the side seal. The inner peripheral seal extends downwardly towards a bottom end of the pouch and includes a tapered end so as to facilitate the expansion of a gusset.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A flexible pouch formed of a sheet of laminate material, the flexible pouch configured to hold a liquid substance, the flexible pouch comprising:
 a pouch body having an opening and a gusset formed along the bottom of the pouch body;   an outer peripheral side seal extending around the periphery of the pouch body; and   an inner peripheral seal disposed adjacent and contiguous to the outer peripheral side seal, a bottom portion of the inner peripheral seal is tapered so as to form a generally “V” shaped pocket which cooperates with the gusset so as to facilitate expansion of the pouch body.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the outer peripheral side seal has a width, and the inner peripheral seal has a width which is twice the width of the outer peripheral side seal. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the opening is generally centered along a top edge of the pouch body, and a fitment is mounted in the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , including two inner peripheral seals, each inner peripheral seal is disposed on opposing sides of the pouch body and contiguous to a corresponding outer peripheral seal. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner peripheral seal includes a top corner which is generally rounded so as to help distribute fluid pressure along the inner peripheral seal. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a stamping, the stamping formed on one of either the inner peripheral side seal or the outer peripheral side seal, the stamping forming a space for housing an transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner peripheral side seal is of a uniform thickness relative to the outer peripheral side seal. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible pouch as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner peripheral side seal is thicker in dimension than the outer peripheral side seal.