Pouch for transportation and storage of natural materials

A flexible pouch comprising a first panel and a second panel. In one embodiment there is a first compartment and a second compartment formed between the first panel and the second panel. A top seal is positioned along the top of the first panel and the second panel above the first compartment and the second compartment. A locking child proof slider assembly is configured to close the top seal in one direction and permit access to the compartments in the other direction. Below the top seal and just above the compartments is a zip seal. The zip seal is reclosable and helps maintained the upper edge of the compartments keeping the contents in place and fresh. The first compartment includes at least one sidewall formed from the first panel and the second panel and at least one seam wherein the sidewalls of the first compartment are opaque to as to prevent visibility of the contents of the first compartment. An NFC tag may also be provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pouch. More specifically, the present invention related to container for packaging a product of natural materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain natural materials are sold from bulk containers to consumers. These materials, such as tobacco, medical marijuana, and the like, are displayed in bulk containers. The goods are then placed in containers for transport and storage by the consumer. Various types of containers have been utilized such as plastic bags with a zipper or zip lock type closure at the top of the package. However, such containers are not satisfactory for use with many materials including medical marijuana.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flexible pouch comprising a first panel and a second panel. A first compartment and a second compartment are formed between the first panel and the second panel. A seal positioned on the first and second panels between the first compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment includes at least one sidewall formed from the first panel and the second panel wherein the two sidewalls of the first compartment are opaque to as to prevent visibility of the contents of the first compartment.

In one embodiment, the first compartment and the second compartment are secured by a child proof lock. The child proof lock is connected to a zip seal, the zip seal being resealable where the zip seal permits access to both the first compartment and the second compartment.

In the present embodiment, the first compartment and the second compartment are resealable. In one embodiment, the first compartment is opaque and the second compartment is transparent to allow the user to view the contents contained within the second compartment.

An NFC tag is connected to the pouch. The NFC tag is adapted to store readable information relating to the origination of the contents of the pouch. In one embodiment, the NFC tag is affixed to the exterior of the pouch. Alternatively, the NFC tag in contained within wither the first compartment or the second compartment.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible pouch includes a first compartment and a second compartment where a seal positioned between the first compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment being opaque to as to prevent visibility of the contents of the first compartment. In this embodiment, an NFC tag is connected to the flexible pouch, the NFC tag adapted to store readable information relating to the origination of the contents of the pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present apparatus is a flexible pouch for use with storing and transporting medical marijuana in oil and/or leaf form. The flexible pouch is generally rectangular shaped having at least two compartments. One compartment is formed to hold marijuana in either oil or leaf form. Another compartment is formed to hold a card having information about the dispensary and contents. A third compartment may be included to hold a snack such as, without limitation, cookies. The pouch is formed of two strips of laminate material. One strip is a top panel formed of laminate having a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol. The other strip is a bottom panel which may be formed of the same material or be a laminate having a layer of aluminum.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate a pouch100have two compartments: a first compartment102and a second compartment104. In the first embodiment (such as shown in inFIGS. 1-3), the first compartment102is configured to hold medical marijuana and the second compartment104is configured to hold a business card118. Alternatively, the second compartment104may hold rolling papers, advertisements, information about the product . . . etc.

The compartments102,104are formed from two panels105,106. A first panel105is sealed to a second panel106. In the present embodiment, the pouch is generally rectangular having a plurality of peripheral side seals112,114,116. The seals112,114,116are preferably air and water tight so as to prevent air or liquid from entering the first compartment102or the second compartment104.

The first and second compartments102,104are generally rectangular pouches or envelopes configured to hold a product. In the present embodiment, the first and second compartments102,104are sealed on all peripheral edges except an upper edge108. The upper edge108of both the first compartment and the second compartments102,104are sealed and secured by means of a slider assembly109. Within the assembly109is a slider portion110that slides along the upper seal108either sealing the upper seal108in one direction or unsealing in the opposite direction. The slider portion110stops and locks at a receiving portion136just prior to each edge seal114,116and at the seam notch138to allow full access to the compartments102,104. The slider110has a locking mechanism111to prevent unwanted access, for example access by children, into the contents of the first compartment102and the second compartment104. The locking mechanism111unlocks the slider portion110from the receiving portion136by a lever135. The lever135only actuates and thus unlocks when allowed to travel into the lever notch134thereby allowing the slidere portion110to release from the receiving portion136. The lever135may only fit into the notch134when the slider portion110is fully seated into the receiving portion136. Once the slider portion110is seated at the receiving portion136on either side, the lever135locks the slidere portion into receiving portion136.

The first compartment102is separated from the second compartment104by means of a first seam126. The first seam126acts as a barrier between the first compartment102and the second compartment104. The first seam126may be formed by heat seal and/or compression between the panels105,106.

The first compartment102is therefore formed between the first panel105and the second panel106and having a first side wall formed from seal114and the opposite second sidewall formed from the first seam126. The first compartment102is generally larger than the second compartment104.

In the present embodiment, below the upper seal108and below panel132is a zip seal130that is able to zip closed encasing the upper portion of compartments102,104. The first seam126ends at the base of zip seal130and does not extend through zip seal130into panel132. The zip seal130may be closed while the top seal108is open and vice versa. The zip seal130extends horizontally between edge seal114,116and between panels105,106. The zip seal130may help keep the contents in their respective compartments102,104and/or keep the contents fresh.

The panels105,106of the pouch described herein may be of a specific laminate such as described in the following. Specifically, the first panel and the second panel may be made of a laminate including three layers: an outer layer formed of PET having a thickness of approximately 12 microns, a center layer of aluminum having a thickness of approximately 9 microns, and an inner layer of S-LLDPE having a thickness of approximately 150 microns. This laminate provides a pouch which is airtight to preserve the longevity of the contents. The outer layer of PET is satisfactory for printing labeling information and warning information, the middle aluminum layer provides an airtight seal for the pouch, and the inner layer of S-LLDPE melts to form an adhesive for bonding the panels of the pouch together and to seal the fitment or closures in place. The aluminum also inherently dictates an opaque qualify for the panels.

In the present embodiment, an NFC tag120(near field code) is affixed to the pouch as shown inFIGS. 1-3. The NFC tag120uses electromagnetic induction between two loop antennae when NFC devices to exchange information, operating within the globally available unlicensed radio frequency ISM band of 13.56 MHz on ISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 424 kbit/s. Each full NFC device can work in three modes: NFC Card Emulation; NFC Reader/Writer; and NFC peer-to-peer (P2P mode). NFC Card emulation mode enables NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones to act like smart cards, allowing users to perform transactions such as payment or ticketing. NFC Reader/writer mode enables NFC-enabled devices to read information stored on inexpensive NFC tags embedded in labels or smart posters. NFC peer-to-peer mode enables two NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other to exchange information in an adhoc fashion. The present system utilized peer-to-peer mode to enable a user to read the information contained on the NFC tag120.

The NFC tag120contains data (typically between 96 and 8,192 bytes of memory) and are read-only, but may be rewritable. Applications aside from the present system include secure personal data storage (e.g. debit or credit card information, loyalty program data, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), contacts).

In the present embodiment, the NFC tag120is provided with a unique code prior to or at the time of the formation of the pouch. The NFC tag is provided to permit the dispensary to readily enter information into a database about the pouch by use of an NFC tag reader. The information about the pouch is then associated into the database with information in the database about the patient. The information may include the patient's identity, address, age, etc. Additionally, the prescription is entered into the database, then finally the quantity and date of the purchase is entered in. This information is associated with the pouch number so that law enforcement personnel may associate the pouch with the purchase information any time in the future.

The NCF tag120may be placed within the pouch, affixed to the interior of either the first or second compartments, affixed to the exterior of either the first or second compartments and/or sealed between the first and second panels105,106. Any adhesive or other known fastener may be used to connect the NFC tag120to the pouch100.

In the present embodiment, the NFC tag120is positioned on the exterior of the second compartment104. However, the NFC tag120may be positioned anywhere within or on the pouch100.

The pouch is formed by first providing a strip of laminate having a width equal to the height of the pouch. A rectangular portion is severed from the strip of laminate and folded over itself (thereby forming the two panels105,106). When the two edges align, a seal bar then seals the two edges together. The pouch is then filled with medical marijuana, rolling papers, business cards . . . etc. The pouch100is then moved to the final station where the NFC chip is glued (or otherwise affixed such as discussed above) to the pouch.

If the pouch includes a metal wall (i.e. aluminum), it is necessary to put a layer of insulating material between the NFC tag and the outer panel to allow the NFC tag to be free of interference from the aluminum layer of the laminate.

The first seam126is spaced apart a distance from one of the side seals114,116to form one side of the second compartment104. The other side of the second compartment is formed by the side seal116. The second compartment104generally accepts a card such as a dispensary card and an NFC tag. The first seam126extends from the bottom seal112towards the top but ends at the base of the zip seal130. The portion of the front panel105over the second compartment104is clear to enable printing on the card to be read through the panels. A layer of opaque printing is placed on the front layer105over the first larger compartment102to prevent viewing of the contents of the first compartment102. A hang hole122is formed in a corner of two of the side seals112,114.

After the pouch is formed the business card118or a dispensary card is inserted through the top seal108through the zip seal130and into the second compartment opening104. The product is inserted through the slider top seal108and through the zip seal130into the first compartment102.

The encoded NFC tag120is mounted to the pouch at the time of dispensing and filling the pouch. The NFC tag is activated by the dispensary and is provided with a code which is associated with customer details such as the prescription and customer identification information. This information is stored in a database. At a future time, the contents and identity of the possessor of the pouch can be verified by persons such as a law enforcement officer who has an NFC tag reader and an application which allows access to the database to view the customer information associated with the NFC code for that pouch. Thus is provided a two-compartment, three side seal pouch with a child-resistant slider zipper sealed onto the long side or top of the pouch.

FIG. 3illustrates the same pouch ofFIGS. 1 & 2but further including a plurality of vials or bottles140. The vials140are configured to hold THC, cannabis or marijuana oil. Certain states that allow the use of medical marijuana only permit use in oil form. By way of example, Georgia permits the use of low THC oil (less than 5% THC by weight) to treat various conditions. In those states requiring the use of only oil, a configurations such as shown inFIG. 3will be used and sold. Similarly to the above, the first compartment102may be opaque to prevent visibility of the product contained therein. In the present embodiments such as shown inFIG. 3, all walls of the first compartment102are opaque. The other elements of the pouch100, such as illustrated inFIG. 3, are the same as those enumerated above and as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The vials140may be one time use bottles or reclosable.

Now referring toFIG. 4, wherein like elements are numbered identical but increased by400, an alternative embodiment of the pouch100is contemplated. This pouch400includes the second compartment404formed by two seams, a first seam426and a second seam427with first seam426separating the second compartment404from the first compartment402and second seam427separating the second compartment404from side seal416. Further, the second seam427creates an additional panel429between the side seal416and the second seam427. The panel429does not have space between panels405,406and the panels405,406are sealed together at zip seal430down to bottom seal412. The second seam427acts as a barrier between the second compartment404and the hole422now located in panel429. The second seam427is the same height and width as the first seam426and may be formed by heat seal and/or compression between the panels405,406. The seams426,427are spaced apart a distance from one another to form the second compartment404to accept a card such as a dispensary card and an NFC tag. The seams426,427extend from the bottom seal412towards the top but end before the zip seal430. The portion of the front panel over the second compartment is clear to enable printing on the card to be read through the panels. A layer of opaque printing is placed on the front layer over the first larger compartment to prevent viewing of the contents of the first compartment.

The first and second compartments402,404are generally rectangular pouches or envelopes configured to hold a product wherein the first compartment402is wider than the second compartment404. The upper edge408of both the first compartment and the second compartments402,404are sealed and secured by means of a slider assembly409. Within the assembly409is a slider portion410that slides along the upper seal408either sealing the upper seal408in one direction or unsealing in the opposite direction. The slider portion410stops and locks at a receiving portion436just prior to each edge seal414,416and at the seam notch438to allow full access to the compartments402,404. The slider410has a locking mechanism411to prevent unwanted access, for example access by children, into the contents of the first compartment402and the second compartment404. The locking mechanism411unlocks the slider portion410from the receiving portion436by a lever435. The lever435only actuates and thus unlocks when allowed to travel into the lever notch434thereby allowing the slidere portion410to release from the receiving portion436. The lever435may only fit into the notch434when the slider portion410is fully seated into the receiving portion436. Once the slider portion410is seated at the receiving portion436on either side, the lever435locks the slider portion into receiving portion436.

Now referring toFIGS. 5-6, wherein like elements are numbered identical but increased by500, another alternative embodiment of the pouch100is contemplated. Pouch500has three compartments: a first compartment502, a second compartment503and a third compartment504. The first compartment502is configured to hold medical marijuana, the second compartment503is configured to hold, without limitation, a snack such as cookies, and the third compartment504is configured to hold a business card518. Alternatively, the third compartment504may hold rolling papers, advertisements, information about the product . . . etc.

The compartments502,503,504, are formed from two panels505,506. A first panel505is sealed to a second panel506. The pouch500is generally rectangular having a plurality of peripheral side seals512,514,516. The seas512,514,516are preferably air and water tight so as to prevent air or liquid from entering the first compartment502, the second compartment503, or the third compartment504.

The first, second, and third compartments502,504.503are generally rectangular pouches or envelopes configured to hold a product. In the present embodiment, all three compartments502,503,504are sealed on all peripheral edges except an upper edge508. The upper edge508of all three compartment502,503,504are sealed and secured by means of a slider assembly509. Within the assembly509is a slider portion510that slides along the upper seal508either sealing the upper seal508in one direction or unsealing in the opposite direction.

The slider portion510stops and locks at a receiving portion536just prior to each edge seal514,516and at the seam notch538to allow full access to the compartments502,503,504. The slider510has a locking mechanism511to prevent unwanted access, for example access by children, into the contents of the compartments502,503,504. The locking mechanism511unlocks the slider510from the receiving portion536by a lever535. The lever535only actuate and thus unlock when allowed to travel into the lever notch534thereby allowing the slider portion510to release from the receiving portion536. The lever535may only fit into the notch534with the slider portion510is fully seated into the receiving portion536. Once the slider portion510is seated at the receiving portion536on either side, the lever535locks the slider portion into receiving portion536.

The first compartment502is separated from the second compartment503by means of a first seam526. The first seam526acts as a barrier between the first compartment502and the second compartment503. The first seam526may be formed by heat seal and/or compression between the panels505,506. The third compartment504is separated from the second compartment503by means of a second seam527. The second seam527acts as a barrier between the second compartment503and the third compartment504. The second seam527may be formed by heat seal and/or compression between the panels505,506. The third compartment504is separated from the edge seal516by means of a third seam528. The third seam528forms the outer edge of the third compartment504and acts as a barrier between the third compartment504and the edge seal516. Further, the third seam528creates an additional panel529between the side seal516and the third seam528. The panel529does not have a gap between panels505,506and the panels505,506are sealed together at zip seal530down to bottom seal512. Within the panel529is the hole522. The portion of the front panel over the third compartment is clear to enable printing on the card to be read through the panels. A layer of opaque printing is placed on the front layer over the first compartment to prevent viewing of the contents of the first compartment.

All three seals,526,527,528are the same height and width. Further, the seals526,527,528extend from the bottom seal512towards the top seal508but end before the zip seal530, and may be formed by heat seal and/or compression between the panels505,506. As illustrated, the seams526,527,528are spaced apart a distance from one another and configured so that the second compartment503is widen than the other two compartments502,504thereby proving space so that it may hold a snack. Further, the first compartment502is configured to hold a vial540and may also hold an NFC tag520. The third compartment is configured to accept a card such as a dispensary card or business card518. It should be appreciated that the seams526,527,528may be manufactured to be spaced apart in such a way that the configuration of all compartments may be of equal size. Further, it is contemplated that additional seals may be added to increase the number of compartments.

Now referring toFIGS. 7-8, pouch700is generally rectangular having a plurality of peripheral side seals712,714,716. The seals712,714,716are preferably air and water tight so as to prevent air or liquid from entering any of the compartments. The pouch700has six equal compartments: first compartment702, second compartment703, third compartment704, fourth compartment740, fifth compartment741, and a sixth compartment742. The compartments are formed by the seals712,714,716on the sides and by five equal seams: a first seam726, second seam727, third seam728, fourth seam744, and fifth seam745. The first seam726separates the first compartment702from the second compartment703. The second seam727separates the second compartment703from the third compartment704. The third seam728separates the third compartment704from the fourth compartment740. The fourth seam744separates the fourth compartment740from the fifth compartment741. The fifth seam745separates the fifth compartment741from the sixth compartment742. The first compartment702is formed by means of a side seal714on one side and a first seam726on the other. The sixth compartment742is formed by means of a side seal716and the fifth seam745. Each of the other compartments are formed by means of seams726,727,728,744,745. Each seam726,727,728,744,745are the same height and width and are formed by heat and/or compression between the first and second panels705,706. The compartments702,703,704,740,741,742are formed from two panels705,706. A first panel705is sealed to a second panel706.

The compartments702,703,704,740,741,742are generally rectangular pouches or envelopes configured to hold a product and are sealed on all peripheral edges except an upper edge708. The upper edge708is sealed and secured by means of a slider assembly709. Within the assembly709is a slider portion710that slides along the upper seal708either sealing the upper seal708in one direction or unsealing in the opposite direction. The slider portion710stops and locks at a receiving portion736just prior to each edge seal714,716and at the seam notch738to allow full access to the compartments. The slider710has a locking mechanism711to prevent unwanted access, for example access by children, into the contents of the compartments. The locking mechanism711unlocks the slider portion710from the receiving portion736by a lever735. The lever735only actuates and thus unlocks when allowed to travel into the lever notch734thereby allowing the slidere portion710to release from the receiving portion736. The lever735may only fit into the notch734when the slider portion710is fully seated into the receiving portion736. Once the slider portion710is seated at the receiving portion736on either side, the lever735locks the slider portion into receiving portion736.

Below the upper seal708and panel732is a zip seal730that is able to be zip closed thus encasing the upper portion of the compartments702,703,704,740,741,742. The seams726,727,728,744,745end at the base of zip seal730and do not extend through zip seal730into panel732. The zip seal730may be closed while the top seal708is open and vice versa. The zip seal730extends horizontally between edge seal714,716and between panels705,706. The zip seal730may help keep the contents in their respective compartments and/or keep the contents fresh. A portion of the front panel over the certain compartments may be clear to enable printing on a card to be read through the panels. A layer of opaque printing may be placed on the front layer over certain compartments to prevent viewing of the contents of that compartment.

Thus is disclosed a pouch which may be used for tobacco and medical marijuana and other natural materials. Many variations of the pouch are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative examples and embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus, compositions, and the like described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the claims.