Abstract:
A duplex storage pouch capable of storing a segregated liquid and powder for extended periods. The two ingredients are separated by a frangible chevron-shaped seal. When pressure is applied to the pouch, one or more chevron points lying along the chevron-shaped seal rupture, allowing the two ingredients to mix. The pouch is flexible, so that the user can knead the two ingredients together for thorough mixing. Once the mixing is complete, a peelable cover is removed to expose a dispensing opening.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to the field of disposable packaging. More specifically, the invention comprises a flexible pouch capable of separately storing two materials which must be mixed prior to use.  
           [0002]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0003]    Many materials in use today must be stored as two separate components for extended periods prior to use. Good examples include two-part adhesives, chemiluminescent lighting devices, plaster compounds, and dental alginates. Packages for these categories have existed for many years. These packages must keep the components separate, yet allow for their convenient combination just prior to use.  
           [0004]    Some prior art packages contemplate mixing the two components outside the package (such as epoxy dispensers), whereas others contemplate mixing the two componens inside the package (such as chemiluminescent lighting tubes). In the case of dental alginates, it is often desirable to mix the ingredients inside an enclosed space. This avoids consistency variations owing to changing humidity. It also avoids creating a mess in a separate container. Thus, a packaging concept which allows the mixing of components inside an enclosed volume, as well as allowing the convenient dispensing of the components once they are mixed, is desirable.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention comprises a duplex storage pouch capable of storing a segregated liquid and powder for extended periods. The two ingredients are separated by a frangible chevron-shaped seal. When pressure is applied to the pouch, one or more chevron points lying along the chevron-shaped seal rupture, allowing the two ingredients to mix. The pouch is flexible, so that the user can knead the two ingredients together for thorough mixing. Once the mixing is complete, a peelable cover is removed to expose a dispensing opening. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is an isometric view, showing the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is an isometric, showing the components of the present invention prior to assembly.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is an isometric, showing a first alternate embodiment.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is an isometric view, showing a plurality of pouches joined together to form a dispenser strip.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is an isometric view, showing a second alternate embodiment.  
                                                     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS                                    10   duplex storage pouch   12   liquid chamber           14   powder chamber   16   permanent seal           18   frangible chevron seal   20   peelable cover           22   pull tab   24   chevron point           26   back panel   28   front panel           30   dispensing opening   32   printed cut line           34   dispenser strip   36   integral pull tab           38   tear-promoting notch   40   perforated joint                      
 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 shows duplex storage pouch  10  in its assembled state. FIG. 2 shows the same components prior to assembly. Front panel  28  is laid over back panel  26 . Both panels are preferably made of thin and flexible plastic—such as polypropylene. Returning now to FIG. 1, once the two panels are aligned, permanent seal  16  is formed around the perimeter, so as to create an enclosed internal volume. Permanent seal  16  may be formed by an adhesive, or by simply thermally fusing the plastic material together.  
         [0012]    The internal volume is divided into liquid chamber  12  and powder chamber  14  by the addition of frangible chevron seal  18 . Frangible chevron seal  18  is preferably formed by thermally or ultrasonically fusing the two panels together in the illustrated chevron pattern. The thickness of this seal is typically less than permanent seal  16 .  
         [0013]    In FIG. 2, the reader will observe that one corner of front panel  28  is cut away to form dispensing opening  30 . A portion of this opening lies outside the fused region of permanent seal  16 , meaning that it allows fluid communication between the interior of duplex storage pouch  10  and the surrounding environment. Returning now to FIG. 1, peelable cover  20  is adhesively affixed over dispensing opening  30 . Peelable cover  20  includes pull tab  22 , which allows a user to grasp it and pull it free when the contents are ready for dispensing. Peelable cover  20  is preferably made from a thin metal foil with an adhesive backing, similar to the tabs used on metal juice containers and similar items.  
         [0014]    Of course, the powder and liquid must be deposited within duplex storage pouch  10  prior to the completion of permanent seal  16 . Looking at FIG. 1, the top, right-hand, and bottom portions of permanent seal  16  are typically formed. Frangible chevron seal  18  is then added, along with peelable cover  20 . Duplex storage pouch  10  is then rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction, so that the remaining open side of permanent seal  16  is facing upward. The powder and liquid are then deposited in the two segregated chambers. The fourth side of permanent seal  16  is then formed.  
         [0015]    When the user is ready to dispense the mixed material, he or she squeezes duplex storage pouch  10 . This results in pressure along permanent seal  16  and frangible chevron seal  18 . Permanent seal  16  is made stronger than frangible chevron seal  18 . The shape of frangible chevron seal  18  also causes substantial stress concentration at the chevron points  24 . The result is that chevron points  24  rupture, dispersing the liquid into the powder. Two or more chevron points  24  are preferably used, since this construction will promote the rupture of the frangible seal at two or more locations (resulting in easier mixing).  
         [0016]    The user then kneads the liquid and powder together within the flexible pouch. Once the mixing process is complete, the user pulls away peelable cover  20 . The pouch is then squeezed to extrude the mixture through dispensing opening  30 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which dispensing opening  30  and peelable cover  20  are omitted. Instead, a printed cut line  32  is printed on the pouch to indicate to the user that a pair of scissors or a knife should be used to cut the pouch once its contents are ready for dispensing. Instructions may also be printed directly on the pouch.  
         [0018]    Although duplex storage pouch  10  has been illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 as a single unit, the use of an assembly line favors production as a plurality of connected units. FIG. 4 show dispenser strip  34 , which is comprised of a series of joined duplex storage pouch  10 . In this embodiment, back panel  26  and front panel  28  are formed from long strips of plastic material instead of individual squares. Each individual duplex storage pouch  10  is separated from its neighbor by a perforated joint  40 . When the user needs an individual pouch, he or she simply tears one free of the dispenser strip  34 . It is then used in the manner described previously. The use of such strips allows many duplex storage pouches  10  to be transported in a box or in roll form. It also allows the use of wall-mounted dispensers.  
         [0019]    Those skilled in the art will realize that many variations are possible on the basic design presented. FIG. 5 shows a second alternate embodiment which eliminates the need for peelable cover  20 . In this embodiment, the perimeter of each duplex storage pouch  10  is given a rounded shape to assist the user in squeezing and kneading the contents. The mixed material is dispensed from the lower portion of the pouch in the view as shown. Integral pull tab  36  is actually formed as a part of the front and back panels. Tear-promoting notch is formed just above it. When the mixed materials are ready for dispensing, the user grasps integral pull tab  36  and pulls it in the direction indicated by the arrow. The bottom of the pouch will then tear free, allowing the material to be dispensed.  
         [0020]    Although the specific example of a liquid and a powder was disclosed in detail, the reader should keep in mind that the devices disclosed could be used to store two liquids as well. They could also store and segregate two powders, although mixing of two powders might be difficult. The preceding descriptions should not be construed, therefore, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention.