A pouch for dispensing a substance and a method of using said pouch

Abstract

A pouch for dispensing a substance and a method of using the pouch is disclosed. The pouch is formed from first and second walls of flexible material having mating peripheral edges which form an enclosure. The pouch has a width, a first end which is initially open, a second end, and first and second side seals which extend from the first end to the second end. A frangible seal is spaced apart from the second end. The frangible seal extends across a major portion of the width. The pouch also has a gusset formed between the second end and the frangible seal. The gusset bas a discharge opening formed therein through which a substance, which is retained in the enclosure after the first end is sealed, can be discharged.

1 . A pouch comprising:
 a) first and second walls of flexible material having mating peripheral edges which form an enclosure, said pouch having a width, a first end which is initially open, a closed second end, and first and second side seals which extend from said first end to said second end;   b) a frangible seal spaced apart from said second end, said frangible seal extending across a major portion of said width; and   c) a gusset formed between said second end and said frangible seal, said gusset having a discharge opening formed therein through which a substance, which is retained in said enclosure after said first end is sealed, can be discharged.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said first end is hermetically sealed after a substance has been inserted into said enclosure. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said frangible seal includes a strip of thermoplastic material positioned across a major portion of said width. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said frangible seal extends across said width. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 4  wherein said frangible seal has a height of at least about 0.25 centimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said substance, which is retained in said enclosure, can be dispensed in a controlled manner through said discharge opening when an external pressure is applied to said pouch, and said external pressure is sufficient to break said frangible seal. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 6  wherein said frangible seal can be broken by a force of at least about 800 grams force/centimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said pouch has a longitudinal central axis and said discharge opening is aligned along said longitudinal central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said pouch has a longitudinal central axis and said discharge opening is offset from said longitudinal central axis. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein said second end is sealed. 
     
     
         11 . A pouch comprising:
 a) first and second walls of flexible material having mating peripheral edges which form an enclosure, said pouch having a width, a first end which is initially open, a sealed second end, and first and second side seals, said open first end permitting said enclosure to be filled with a substance before being sealed;   b) a line of weakness positioned adjacent to said second end which extends across said width;   c) a frangible seal spaced apart from said line of weakness which extends across a major portion of said width, and said first and second side seals extend between said first end and said second end; and   d) a gusset formed between said line of weakness and said frangible seal, said gusset having a discharge opening formed therein through which a substance, which is retained in said enclosure after said first end is sealed, can be discharged.   
     
     
         12 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said discharge opening is initially closed and can be opened when an external pressure is applied to said pouch, and said external pressure is sufficient to break said frangible seal. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said discharge opening includes a score line which can be formed with a laser. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said frangible seal includes a strip of thermoplastic material positioned across a major portion of said width. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said pouch has a longitudinal central axis and said discharge opening is aligned along said longitudinal central axis. 
     
     
         16 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said frangible seal can be broken by a force of from between about 800 to about 1,500 gram force/centimeter. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a pouch formed from first and second walls of flexible material having mating peripheral edges which form an enclosure, said pouch having a width, a first end which is initially open, a sealed second end, and first and second side seals, said open first end allowing said enclosure to be filled with a substance before being sealed; a line of weakness positioned adjacent to said second end which extends across said width; a frangible seal spaced between said first end and said line of weakness which extends across at least a major portion of said width; said first and second side seals extend from said first end to said the second end; and a gusset formed between said line of weakness and said frangible seal, said gusset having a discharge opening formed therein through which a substance, which is retained in said enclosure after said first end is sealed, can be discharged, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) breaking said line of weakness and removing said sealed second end from said pouch;   b) applying an external pressure to said pouch sufficient to break said frangible seal; and   c) continuing to apply an external pressure to said pouch which causes said substance to be dispensed, in a controlled manner, through said discharge opening.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising an initially closed discharge opening which can be opened by said external pressure applied to said pouch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising an initially open discharge opening through which said substance in said enclosure can be dispensed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said external force needed to be applied to said pouch in order to break said frangible seal is at least about 800 gram force/centimeter.