Nested multicompartment container

Abstract

A flexible, multicompartment container and a web including a multiplicity of such containers. One of the containers includes a first flexible panel and a second flexible panel. The first and second flexible panels are joined together along a bottom edge joint, a first side edge joint and a second side edge joint. A third flexible panel located between the first and second flexible panels is connected to the first and second flexible panels at least at one of the bottom edge joint, the first side edge joint and second side joint. The first, second and third flexible panels are arranged to form two separate compartments within the container. A fastening system connected to the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel can selectively open and close a top of the container thereby to permit access to the two separate compartments and to block access to the two separate compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible, multicompartment container comprising:
 a first flexible panel and a second flexible panel, the first and second flexible panels defining outer walls of the container, the first and second flexible panels being joined together along a bottom edge joint, a first side edge joint and a second side edge joint;   a third flexible panel located between the first and second flexible panels and being connected to the first and second flexible panels at least at one of the bottom edge joint, the first side edge joint and second side joint, the first, second and third flexible panels being arranged to form two separate compartments within the container;   a fastening system connected to the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel for selectively opening and closing a top of the container thereby to permit access to the two separate compartments and to block access to the two separate compartments.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the fastening system is arranged so that when the container is closed, the third flexible panel is engaged by the fastening system. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the fastening system comprises a female element and a male element received in the female element when the fastening system closes the top of the container, the third flexible panel being partially received in the female element when the fastening system closes the top of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a fourth flexible panel located between the first and second flexible panels. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising a fifth flexible panel located between the first and second flexible panels and between the third and fourth flexible panels. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the fourth flexible panel is joined to the third flexible panel so that the first and second flexible panels form a first of the two separate compartments of the container and the third and fourth flexible panels form a second of the two separate compartments in the container. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the third and fourth flexible panels are releasably joined to the first and second flexible panels at the bottom edge joint. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the third and fourth flexible panels are joined with the first and second flexible panels along the first and second side edge joints. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the third flexible panel is joined to the first flexible panel. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the fastening system comprises a female element and a male element received in the female element when the fastening system closes the top of the container, the third flexible panel and the fourth flexible panel each being partially received in the female element when the fastening system closes the top of one of the two separate compartments, thereby closing the other of the two separate compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the fastening system comprises a first fastening system, wherein the flexible, multicompartment container further comprises a second fastening system including a female element connected to the third flexible panel and a male element connected to the fourth flexible panel. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible, multicompartment container as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the first flexible panel and the second flexible panel are joined along the bottom edge by a gusset. 
     
     
         13 . A web of flexible, multicompartment containers comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet opposed to the first sheet in the web, the first and second sheets being joined together along transverse joints spaced apart along a length of the web and extending transverse to the length of the web, the first and second sheets being joined together along a lengthwise joint adjacent a longitudinal edge of the web, adjacent pairs of transverse joints each defining a first flexible panel from the first sheet and defining a second flexible panel from the second sheet;   a third sheet located at least partially between the first sheet and the second sheet;   a fourth sheet located at least partially between the first sheet and the second sheet and generally opposed to the third sheet, the transverse joint joining the third and fourth sheets together with each other and with the first and second sheets, adjacent pairs of transverse joints each defining a third flexible panel from the third sheet and a fourth flexible panel from the fourth sheet, the third sheet and the fourth sheet being connected together along an edge extending parallel to the lengthwise extent of the web, the first and second flexible panels forming a first bag, and the third and fourth flexible panels forming a second bag separate from the first bag;   a fastening system connected to the first sheet and the second sheet, the fastening system being configured for selectively opening and closing a top of the first bag and the second bag thereby to permit access to the first and second bags and to block access to the two separate compartments.   
     
     
         14 . The web as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the fastening system is arranged so that when the first bag is closed, the third and fourth flexible panels are engaged by the fastening system to close the second bag. 
     
     
         15 . The web as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the fastening system comprises a female element and a male element received in the female element when the fastening system closes the first bag, the third flexible panel being partially received in the female element when the fastening system closes the first bag. 
     
     
         16 . The web as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising a fifth sheet located at least partially between the third sheet and the fourth sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The web as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the fastening system comprises a first fastening system, the web further comprising a second fastening system including a female element connected to the third sheet and a male element connected to the fourth sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The web as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the first sheet and second sheet are joined together along the longitudinal edge by a gusset. 
     
     
         19 . The web as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the web is formed into a roll.