Drinks pouch

Abstract

A fully sealed pouch contains a drink and a straw. The pouch has a front face and a rear face, and defines: a top edge where the front face and the rear face are sealed to each other, a bottom portion where the front face and the rear face are connected to each other optionally via a gusset, a first side edge extending from the top edge to the bottom portion, the front face being sealed to the rear face along the first side edge, and a second side edge also extending from the top edge to the bottom portion, the front face and the rear face either being continuous with each other or sealed to each other at the second side edge, and an extended corner portion defined between the top edge and the first side edge. The interior volume of the pouch is divided into a minor portion adjacent the first edge and extending into the extended corner portion, and a major portion communicating with the minor portion. The front face and the rear face are sealed to each other throughout the extended corner portion except where the minor portion extends into the extended corner portion. The straw is located in the minor portion with an end thereof extending into the extended corner portion. A predetermined tear line is defined in the extended corner portion along a line that extends from a position at or adjacent the first side edge, across the minor portion where it extends into the extended corner portion, and along a curved path to or adjacent to the top edge at a position spaced from the join between the top edge and the first side. The tear line constrains a user seeking access to the straw readily to tear therealong to expose the end of the straw and to allow the user thereafter to drink from the pouch via the straw.

1 . A fully sealed pouch containing a drink and a straw; the pouch having a front face and a rear face, and defining: a top edge where the front face and the rear face are sealed to each other, a bottom portion where the front face and the rear face are connected to each other optionally via a gusset, a first side edge extending from the top edge to the bottom portion, the front face being sealed to the rear face along the first side edge, and a second side edge also extending from the top edge to the bottom portion, the front face and the rear face either being continuous with each other or sealed to each other at the second side edge, and an extended corner portion defined between the top edge and the first side edge; the interior volume of the pouch being divided into a minor portion adjacent the first edge and extending into the extended corner portion, and a major portion communicating with the minor portion, the front face and the rear face being sealed to each other throughout the extended corner portion except where the minor portion extends into the extended corner portion; the straw being located in the minor portion with an end thereof extending into the extended corner portion; and a predetermined tear line being defined in the extended corner portion along a line that extends from a position at or adjacent the first side edge, across the minor portion where it extends into the extended corner portion, and along a curved path to or adjacent to the top edge at a position spaced from the join between the top edge and the first side, the tear line constraining a user seeking access to the straw readily to tear therealong to expose said end of the straw and to allow the user thereafter to drink from the pouch via the straw. 
     
     
         2 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the straw is fixed in position by being attached to at least one of the front face and the rear face with the said end of the straw being located at or adjacent an end of the minor portion within the extended corner portion. 
     
     
         3 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the minor portion defines a headspace located in the corner portion and containing the said end of the straw, a lower section of the minor portion which is in communication with the major portion and a middle section of the minor portion which is of reduced width compared to the headspace and lower section; and the straw is sealed into and entirely fills the middle section. 
     
     
         4 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein one end of the predetermined tear line terminates short of the top edge so that tearing along the tear line up to the said termination leaves an almost fully detached corner portion still attached to the remainder of the pouch at said termination. 
     
     
         5 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 4 , wherein the tear line is defined by a first section comprising laser cut lines on the external side of each of the front and rear faces which extends from a notch formed in the first side edge, crosses the minor portion and ends at a hole which extends through both the front and rear faces where they are sealed to each other in the extended corner portion, and by a second section comprising a perforated line in which perforations extend through both the front and rear faces, the perforated line following a curved path to terminate adjacent the top edge. 
     
     
         6 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein one end of the predetermined tear line terminates at or adjacent the top edge, and an instruction icon is provided on the extended corner portion adjacent said one end to identify an intended direction of tearing from the top edge downwardly and towards the side edge. 
     
     
         7 . A fully sealed pouch according to  claim 6 , wherein the other end of the predetermined tear line terminates inboard of a notch formed in the first side edge so that tearing along the tear line leaves an almost fully detached corner portion still attached to the remainder of the pouch adjacent the said side edge notch.