Packages with controlled drainage function

Abstract

The present invention is directed to retortable, hot-fill and/or microwavable liquid dispensing packages. The packages include is a line of weakness having a sinusoidal shape in each front and rear panel of the package which are substantially coincident with one another. To drain liquid from the package, a first removable portion can be torn away from the package by manual force separating at the lines of weakness to create a plurality of liquid-passage openings in the remaining portion of the package which extend laterally across the width of the package.

1 . A liquid dispensing package comprising:
 front and rear panels sealed together at peripheral edges by at least three peripheral seals;   a line of weakness having a sinusoidal shape in each front and rear panel which are substantially coincident and extend laterally the width of each panel;   a continuous interior seal positioned between the crests and troughs of the sinusoidal-shaped lines of weakness which seals the front panel to the rear panel and extends laterally the width of the panels;   a first tear-initiation feature positioned below the lines of weakness:   a first removable portion which separates at the first lines of weakness and creates a plurality of liquid-passage openings; and   a second removable portion which separates at the tear-initiation feature to create a singular opening when the first removable portion has been removed from the package.   
     
     
         2 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the lines of weakness are continuous. 
     
     
         3 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the lines of weakness are intermittent. 
     
     
         4 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tear-initiation feature is a notch in a peripheral edge of the package. 
     
     
         5 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 4 , further comprising a second tear-initiation feature. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 5 , wherein the second tear-initiation feature comprises a notch in a peripheral edge of the package opposite the first tear-initiation feature. 
     
     
         7 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tear-initiation feature is a second line of weakness in each front and rear panel which are substantially coincident. 
     
     
         8 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least three peripheral seals are each a heat seal. 
     
     
         9 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the continuous interior seal is a heat seal. 
     
     
         10 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of liquid-passage openings each have an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of liquid-passage openings each have a circular shape. 
     
     
         12 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the singular opening extends laterally the width of each panel. 
     
     
         13 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the lines of weakness each have a depth of less than the entire thickness of the panel. 
     
     
         14 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the singular opening is larger than one of the plurality of liquid-passage openings. 
     
     
         15 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels each comprise a film having a barrier layer formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyimide, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, glass, metal foil, metal oxide coated film, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate copolymer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth peripheral seal. 
     
     
         17 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 16 , wherein the peripheral seals each have a seal strength of at least 772 N/m (2 kg/in). 
     
     
         18 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the lines of weakness each have an unrestrained burst strength of between 10 psi and 30 psi. 
     
     
         19 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package has a stand-up pouch configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A liquid dispensing package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package has a quad-pack configuration.