Patent ID: 6076664
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B31B,B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A stand-up pouch for storing and dispensing liquids, comprising:(a) front and back panels each having a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion, a first side edge, and a second side edge, said front panel being connected to said back panel along a continuous first side seam and a continuous second side seam, to form a generally rectangular pouch construction whereby said panels and said side seams define an interior;(b) a bottom gusset panel, having a first side panel and a second side panel, said first side panel being secured to said front panel along a first curved line near said bottom edge portion thereof, and said second side panel being secured to said back panel along a second curved line near said bottom edge portion thereof,wherein on at least part of a bottom edge portion of each of said first and second side seams, in the regions where said first side panel is secured to said front panel, and said second side panel is secured to said back panel, said first side panel is secured to said second side panel of said gusset panel to form a four-ply construction at said first and second side edges,said gusset panel being displaced outwardly from said interior of said pouch when said pouch is filled with said liquid thereby forcing said front panel away from said back panel except at said side seams resulting in the formation of a rigid base construction for supporting said pouch arrangement in a standing orientation;(c) a drinking straw, comprising a thin, flexible, hollow flow tube with opposing distal ends, having a length less than the height of said pouch, and being secured to a portion of one of said panels of said pouch whereby one of said distal ends of said straw is positioned in a region at which said gusset panel is outwardly displaced;(d) a top header, being formed by securing a portion of said front panel to said back panel in an area occupying at least a part of a top edge portion of said pouch and surrounding said straw, said header being unattached to said straw and having a transversely extending line of weakness, whereby a portion of said top header can be easily removed from said pouch, by tearing along said line of weakness, and thereby exposing one of said distal ends of said straw to facilitate drinking said liquid through,(e) wherein said top header includes an upper bag seam below said line of weakness for containing said liquids inside said pouch, whereby said front panel is attached to said back panel except at a portion adjacent said straw, said portion adjacent to said straw providing a vent for said pouch to assist in the removal of the liquid contents of said pouch, said upper seam being provided for substantially containing said liquid in said pouch even after the portion of said header surrounding said straw has been removed from said pouch to expose said distal end of said straw.