A pouch can include a first wall, a second wall, and a lower gusset that extends from each of the first and second walls. The pouch can further include an upper gusset that extends from at least the first wall. The pouch can further include a seal region at an upper end of the pouch. The seal region can be opened to yield an opening through which the contents of the pouch can be accessed. The opening can be at least partially defined by the upper gusset and/or the upper gusset can define a pocket that can maintain external debris therein as the opening is expanded.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to pouches, and more particularly to pouches for containing food items. The pouches can differ from previous pouches in significant and beneficial ways, such as discussed more fully herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous pouch configurations are known for food items, such as cereal, crackers, candies, etc. In some instances, the pouches may be used primarily as a liner, and additional packaging may be used. For example, in some known cereal configurations, an outer box can contain a pouch within which a cereal is contained. The pouch may be flimsy, as compared with the box, such that the box may be used to stand the cereal item on a shelf. In other instances, the pouch may constitute stand-alone packaging. Various arrangements for single-use, single-serving, or small-portion pouches are also known, such as for use with cereal, snacks, or other food items. In certain of such arrangements, the pouches are contained within boxes, whereas in others, the pouches are of a stand-alone variety. Each previously known pouch can suffer from one or more drawbacks. Embodiments disclosed herein can address, ameliorate, resolve, and/or eliminate one or more of such drawbacks and/or can have beneficial features, as compared with prior art pouches. Such improvements will be apparent from the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2depict an embodiment of a bag, package, or pouch100that is in a sealed state.FIG. 1is a standard perspective view in which an exterior surface of the pouch100is visible.FIG. 2is a similar perspective view, except that portions of the pouch100and contents of the pouch that would normally be obscured from view by at least a front wall of the pouch100are shown in phantom.

The pouch100may be used to contain a food product172of any suitable variety. In various embodiments, the food product172can comprise cereal, crackers, candies, etc. As will be apparent from further discussion below, in various embodiments, the pouch100can be used advantageously as a single-use, single-serving, or small-portion packaging for cereal. For example, in some embodiments, the pouch100may be used as a bowl when the pouch is opened, such as by pouring milk into the pouch100over cereal contained within the pouch100. In other or further embodiments, the pouch100may be reclosable. Embodiments of the pouch100can be configured to prevent foreign material (e.g., debris, dust, microbes) that may be positioned at an exterior surface of the pouch100from being pushed into an interior of the pouch100during opening of the pouch100.

The pouch100can have an upper end102, a lower end104, and two opposing lateral ends106,108. The pouch100can include a front wall110, a rear wall120, a lower gusset130, and an upper gusset140. Directional terms, such as “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., are used herein with respect to the orientation shown inFIG. 1. These terms are used for the sake of convenience and are not necessarily intended to be limiting. For example, the front wall110could in fact be printed with material that is more suitable for a rear wall of a packaging (e.g., printed with nutritional information), such that the front wall110in fact serves as a rear wall. The front and rear walls110,120may also be referred to herein as front and rear walls110,120, respectively.

Each of the front wall110and the rear wall120can include an upper end112,122, a lower end114,124, and opposing lateral ends116,118,126,128, respectively. The lower gusset130can extend from the front wall110and the rear wall120. Stated otherwise, the lower gusset130can be attached or otherwise directly coupled with each of the front and rear walls110,120. The lower gusset130can comprise a folded piece of material that is capable of transitioning from a flattened state to an expanded state. The lower gusset130can be configured to permit the lower ends114,124of the front and rear walls110,120to be spaced apart from each other to expand the lower end104of the pouch100, as shown in the configuration depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2. The lower ends114,124of the front and rear walls110,120can serve as a base on which the pouch100rests. Expansion of the lower gusset130can serve to stabilize the base.

The upper gusset140can similarly comprise a folded piece of material that is capable of transitioning from a flattened state to an expanded state. The upper gusset140can be configured to permit the upper ends112,122of the front and rear walls110,120to be spaced apart from each other to expand the upper end102of the pouch100, as shown in the configuration depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2. The upper gusset140can extend from the front wall110, such as by being attached or otherwise directly coupled with the front wall110. As further discussed below, the upper gusset140can be attached or otherwise directly coupled to the rear wall120when the pouch100is in a closed or sealed state. Accordingly, the upper gusset140can extend from each of the front and rear walls110,120when the pouch100is in the closed or sealed state.

As further discussed below, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper gusset140differs somewhat from the lower gusset130. For example, the upper gusset140can include an extension or flange144at an upper/rearward end thereof, such that the upper gusset140is slightly larger than the lower gusset130. However, in some embodiments, the flange144may be connected to the rear wall120in such as manner that the flange144is generally fixed relative to the rear wall120prior to opening of the pouch110. Accordingly, although the upper and lower gussets140,130may be slightly different sizes, portions of the gussets140,130that are moveable or expandable, relative to both the front and rear walls110,120, may be identically sized such that the upper and lower ends102,104of the pouch100may be expandable by the same amount.

In other embodiments, the upper and lower gussets140,130, and/or the movable portions thereof, relative to both the front and rear walls110,120, may be different sizes to permit the upper and lower ends102,104of the pouch100to be expandable by different amounts. In some embodiments, the upper end102may be expandable by a greater amount than the lower end104, which can allow the upper end102to have a relatively larger opening when the upper gusset140is moved to an open state (such as discussed further below with respect toFIG. 3), which may provide more ready access to the contents of the pouch100. However, in some embodiments, permitting the upper end102of the pouch102to expand by a greater amount may permit a larger quantity of the food product to be present toward the upper end102of the pouch100, which may make the pouch top-heavy or more prone to tipping. Certain embodiments may balance the size of the upper gusset140relative to the lower gusset130based on at least these factors. In various embodiments, a ratio of the movable or expandable portions of the upper and lower gussets140,130(relative to both the front and rear walls) is no more than about 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, or 2.0 to 1.

The upper gusset140can define a pocket142. The pocket142can be defined, in particular, by the exterior surface of the upper gusset140. The pocket142can be a cavity or depressed or recessed region, which can be positioned between the front and rear walls110,120. When the pouch100stands upright on its lower end104, for example, the pocket142can be prone to collecting dust or other debris. Moreover, where the pocket142is defined by an exterior surface of the pouch100, the pocket142is not sterile and may be prone to being contaminated, such as with microbes. Accordingly, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to avoid pushing any portion of the upper gusset140into an interior of the pouch100. Stated otherwise, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to avoid moving any of the contents of the pocket142into an interior of the pouch100. As further discussed below with respect toFIG. 3, a rearward portion146of the upper gusset140can serve as a barrier between the pocket142and an interior of the pouch100to maintain any debris that may be present in the pocket142prior to opening the pouch100within the pocket142as the pouch100is opened.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the pouch100can include a seal region150. The seal region150can include the flange144portion of the upper gusset140and the upper end122of the rear wall120, which may also be referred to as an extension of the rear wall120. The seal region150can include a seal152that closes (e.g., in an airtight, liquid-tight, and/or hermetic fashion) the pouch100. The seal152may be of any suitable variety. For example, in some embodiments, the seal152comprises a heat seal. As further discussed below, in some embodiments, the heat seal152can be formed using a peelable sealant layer, and the heat seal152can be a peelable heat seal. In other embodiments, the seal152may be formed via ultrasonic welding or any other suitable method. Accordingly, although the following discussion primarily refers to the seal152as a “heat seal,” it should be understood that the seal152can comprise any other suitable variety of seal, and may desirably be readily opened by an end user. In some embodiments, such as that depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2, the seal152may be a fin seal.

In some embodiments, the seal152is configured for opening without reclosing. For example, in certain of such arrangements, the pouch100may be particularly well suited for single-use packages. In other embodiments, the seal152and/or other portions of the seal region150may be reclosable. For example, as discussed further below (e.g., with respect toFIGS. 11 and 12), in some embodiments, seal region150and/or the seal152can comprise one or more of a zipper and a resealable adhesive. For example, in some embodiments, the seal region150can include a non-reclosable heat seal152and can further include a reclosable zipper. Certain of such embodiments may be particularly well suited for multi-use packages.

In some embodiments, the seal region150can comprise pull tabs154,156that can be gripped by a user to aid in opening or unsealing the seal152. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat seal152does not extend all the way to the top edges of the rear wall120and the upper gusset140. The pull tabs154,156thus are defined by the uppermost ends of the rear wall120and the upper gusset140that are not heat sealed to each other.

As shown inFIG. 2, an interior surface of each of the front and rear walls110,120and the upper and lower gussets130,140can cooperate to define a cavity170into which a food product172is received. The cavity170may be sealed shut in an airtight fashion to preserve the freshness of the food product172.

FIG. 3depicts the pouch100in an open or unsealed state. The pull tabs154,156have been used to pull apart the upper ends of the flange144portion of the upper gusset140and the upper end122of the rear wall120. As can be appreciated in each ofFIGS. 1-3, at least a portion of the seal region150can be higher than (e.g., extend upwardly past) the upper end112of the front wall110. In particular, the flange144of the upper gusset140and the upper end122of the rear wall120, which include the heat seal152, can be higher than the upper end112of the front wall110. This extended region may be referred to as an extension160of the pouch100. In some embodiments, the extension160may be folded over (e.g., backward and downward) when the pouch100is in the sealed state.

Arrangements that include an extension160can provide a visual cue to a user as to which portion of the pouch100can be used to open the pouch100. Such an arrangement may also facilitate opening of the pouch100, in that the front wall110can provide adequate clearance for a hand of a user to move the upper gusset140into proximity with the front wall110without obstruction from the front wall110. In some embodiments, the extension160may include a tab that can be used in displaying the pouch100. For example, in some embodiments, the pull tabs154,156may be longer than those shown inFIG. 3and may be sufficiently tall to include a centrally positioned hole (not shown) above the heat seal152through which a peg may be inserted so that the pouch100may hang on the peg. In other embodiments, a tab formed of a separate piece of material (not shown), such as a relatively stiff plastic, may be adhered to the upper end122of the rear wall120or to the extension144of the upper gusset140. The separate tab may include a hole for receiving a peg. In various embodiments, a difference in height between the rear wall120and the front wall110(e.g., a height of the extension160) can be no greater than about 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 inches. In other embodiments, the front and rear walls110,120can be approximately the same height, as discussed below with respect toFIG. 9.

As previously discussed, the exterior surface of the upper gusset140can define a pocket142and the interior surface of the upper gusset140can define an upper end of the cavity170when the pouch170is sealed closed. As the pouch100is opened, the interior surface of the upper gusset140can cooperate with the interior surface of the rear wall120to define an opening159through which the contents of the cavity170can be accessed. As can be appreciated fromFIG. 3, the opening159can be expanded by collapsing the upper gusset140. For example, the rearward portion146of the gusset140can be moved away from the rear wall120into proximity to a forward portion148of the gusset140and the front wall110. Stated otherwise, as the opening159is expanded, the gusset140can be collapsed by bringing opposing portions146,148of the upper gusset140together. Stated otherwise, the exterior surfaces of the opposing portions146,148of the upper gusset140may be brought into closer proximity with each other. The pocket142can become narrower as the opening159is expanded.

As previously mentioned, the rearward portion146of the upper gusset140can serve as a barrier between the pocket142and the cavity170. As the opening159is expanded, the barrier can maintain any debris that may be present in the pocket142within the pocket, and thus can prevent the debris from entering the pouch110through the opening159. In the illustrated embodiment, the rearward portion of the upper gusset140includes an extension that increases the height of the barrier. Accordingly, the barrier extends beyond the upper edge of the front wall110when the opening159is fully expanded, as shown inFIG. 3.

In certain embodiments, an integrity of one or more materials of which the upper gusset140is formed is maintained throughout an opening event such that any contents of the pocket142are prevented from passing through the one or more materials into the cavity170. For example, the upper gusset140may be formed from a material that comprises one or more layers, and at least one of those layers can remain intact throughout an entire opening event. This can prevent any openings from forming in the upper gusset140through which any debris that has collected in the pocket142can enter into the cavity170and into contact with the food product172.

The pouch100can include printed indicia174of any suitable variety. Certain embodiments of the pouch100can desirably omit a fin seal and/or any other seal from the front and rear walls110,120, which would otherwise interrupt such printed indicia174.

In some embodiments, the pouch100can be configured to naturally remain in an open configuration, such as that depicted inFIG. 3, once the rearward portion146of the upper gusset140has been approximated to the forward portion148and the opening159has been fully expanded. In some embodiments, a material of which the pouch100is formed is sufficiently flexible to allow the outer surface of the rearward portion146of the upper gusset140to be inverted from the rearwardly bowed or concave shape ofFIG. 1, where it is sealed to the rear wall120, to the forwardly bowed or convex shape ofFIG. 3, where it is approximated to the forward portion148. Moreover, as previously mentioned, and as discussed further below with respect toFIGS. 4-8, in some embodiments, the upper gusset140is formed from a folded piece of material, which can include the forward portion148at one side of a fold185and the rearward portion146at an opposite side of the fold185. In some embodiments, the fold185is trapped by and sealed between the front and rear walls110,120at the lateral ends106,108of the pouch100. When the pouch100is filled and in the sealed position, the fold185may not be present at the central region of the upper gusset140due to the expanded state of the gusset140and/or the presence of the food product172. However, the fold185is continuously present in at least the lateral ends106,108of the pouch100. When the rearward portion146of the upper gusset140is collapsed toward the front wall110so as to open and fully expand the opening159, the fold185may naturally return along a full lateral width of the upper gusset140. The lateral sides106,108of the pouch100may be relatively rigid, as compared to more central portions of the upper gusset140that are spaced from the lateral sides106,108. This comparative rigidity may be provided by heat seals along the lateral ends106,108. This rigidity of the lateral ends106,108may bias the lateral sides of the upper gusset140inwardly. The inward bias may aid in maintaining the upper gusset140in a fully open position. For example, in some embodiments, the material of which the pouch100is formed may be sufficiently stiff to respond to the inward bias provided by the lateral ends106,108of the pouch so as to maintain the upper gusset140in the inverted position shown inFIG. 3. The pouch100may include other or further features that aid in maintaining the opening159in an open position, such as those discussed below with respect toFIGS. 10A and 10B.

In some embodiments, maintaining the upper gusset140in an open position can be a desirable feature. For example, having the upper gusset140automatically stay in the open configuration can omit any extra effort that would otherwise be expended in manipulating the opening159to keep it open. The contents of the pouch100may be accessed, for example, using a single hand when the pouch100is resting on a surface, or, as another example, one hand may be used merely to hold the pouch100(e.g. at the base of the pouch) while another hand is used to access the contents of the pouch100. In some instances, the stay-open functionality can facilitate access to the cavity170for purposes of ready snacking. In other instances, milk, water, or other liquid can be introduced into the pouch100through the opening to mix with the food product172. The pouring step can be facilitated by a stay-open feature. Further, subsequent accessing of the contents of the pouch100, such as with a spoon, can also be facilitated. The pouch100can, for example, function as a bowl.

FIGS. 4-8depict various stages of an illustrative method for manufacturing the pouch100. In some embodiments, the pouch100can be formed on a form fill seal (FFS) machine, such as a vertical FFS (VFFS) machine. The FFS machine may be configured to form the pouch100from a sheet of web material that may be delivered from a roll. In other embodiments, the pouch100may be partially formed into an open receptacle or bag-like structure. Thereafter, the semi-formed pouch may be filled and sealed shut in a separate process. In various embodiments, standard equipment can be used in forming the pouch100, but the equipment may be modified and/or augmented in order to achieve various features of the pouch100.

With reference toFIG. 4, in some embodiments, the pouch100may be formed from a web of material200that is fed into the FFS equipment from a roll stock205. The web material200may be of any suitable variety. A stiffness of the web material200may be selected based on any suitable factors, such as the stay-open functionalities discussed above. For example, in some instances, it can be desirable to select a stiffness of the web material200such that the material is sufficiently rigid to hold a pouch shape when the pouch100is in the sealed state and to hold an open-mouth bowl shape when the pouch100is in the open state, and yet is sufficiently flexible to readily transition from the sealed state (e.g., pouch shape) to the open state (e.g., bowl shape).

In some embodiments, the web material200comprises a single-layer film or a multi-layer film. The web material200can comprise a laminate or a coextruded material. In some embodiments, the inner and/or outer surfaces and/or layers of the web material200can be heat sealable. In some embodiments, an inner layer comprises heat-sealable polyethylene and/or heat-sealable polypropylene, although any suitable material is contemplated. In other or further embodiments, an outer layer comprises heat-sealable polyester and/or heat-sealable polypropylene, although any suitable material is contemplated. In some embodiments, the outer layer has a higher melting point than the inner layer. Some embodiments may include one or more barrier layers of any suitable variety. In some embodiments, the web material200is gas- and/or liquid-impervious.

In certain embodiments, the web material200comprises a peelable sealant layer210as the innermost layer. The peelable sealant layer210can be of any suitable variety, and may be configured to form a readily openable peel seal152(FIG. 3).

InFIG. 4, a single segment220that may ultimately be cut from the roll stock205of web material200to form a pouch100is shown in solid lines. Adjacent portions of the roll stock205that may be included in additional segments are shown in broken lines, and a feed direction of the roll stock205is depicted by a downwardly directed arrow.

The segment220can include portions (110,130,140) that will be used to form the front wall110, the rear wall120, the lower gusset130, and the upper gusset140. The segment220can include opposite longitudinal edges180,186and opposite lateral edges187,188. Portions of the segment220can be folded along fold lines (which are not necessarily physically marked on the segment220) during formation of the pouch100. In the illustrated embodiment, five primary fold lines181,182,183,184,185are shown. By way of reference, the edges180,186,187,188and the fold lines181,182,183,184,185are also labeled inFIG. 2.

In some embodiments, a fin seal can be formed at the seal region150, which may include the extension160(e.g., the extension or flange144portion of the upper gusset140and the extension at the upper end122of the rear wall120). The limits of these “extension” portions, which may correspond with fin seal regions, are depicted by broken lines190,192. As previously noted, in some embodiments, the extension160may be folded along the broken lines190,192. For example, in some embodiments, the extension160may be folded over (e.g., backward and downward) in a finished pouch100. The lines190,192thus may also be referred to as secondary fold lines.

The various portions of the segment220can be of any suitable dimensions. For example, in some embodiments, a small format pouch100may, when devoid of contents and in a flattened state, have a width of about 5.25 inches and a height of about 4.0 inches, and when the cavity170of the bag is fully expanded, a maximum distance between the front and rear walls110,120can be about 3.0 inches. Such a pouch100can be formed, for example, from a segment220having a lateral width (i.e., the distance between the lateral edges187,188) of about 5.25 inches and a longitudinal length (i.e., the distance between the longitudinal edges180,186) of about 15.0 inches. In certain of such embodiments, the distances between the edge180and the line190can be about 0.5 inches, between the lines190and181can be about 4.0 inches, between the lines181and182can be about 1.5 inches, between the lines182and183can be about 1.5 inches, between the lines183and184can be about 4 inches, between the lines184and185can be about 1.5 inches, between the lines185and192can be about 1.5 inches, and between the lines192and186can be about 0.5 inches. The foregoing examples are merely illustrative, as numerous other dimensions and configurations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, large-format pouches may be formed. Certain of such large format bags may have a width of about 10 inches and a height of about 12 inches. Other sizes of the final pouch100and dimensions of various portions of the segment220are contemplated.

FIG. 5depicts another early stage in an illustrative method for forming a pouch100. At this stage, the segment220has been folded along the various fold lines and the longitudinal ends of the segment220have been heat sealed together in a fin seal arrangement. In some embodiments, this arrangement can be achieved using VFFS equipment. For example, the segment220can be wrapped around a forming collar and the fin seal152can be formed by any suitable sealing jaws, such as jaws that impart heat and/or ultrasonic energy to the web material200. The folds (e.g. along the fold lines181,182,183,184,185) may be achieved via the forming collar and/or additional equipment. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the segment220may encircle the forming collar at the stage shown inFIG. 5, and thus may not be in the substantially flat configuration depicted inFIG. 5.

The amount of energy imparted to the web material200can determine whether the heat seal152will be a peel seal that is readily opened or a lock seal that is much stronger and much more difficult, or even impossible to open, without damaging the pouch100. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat seal152can desirably be a peel seal, whereas other seals formed at the lateral ends (discussed below) can be lock seals that have a greater strength than the peel seal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heat seal152is formed in a pattern that extends from one lateral edge187to the opposite lateral edge188. The heat seal152does not, however, extend all the way to the longitudinal edges180,186, thus leaving the pull tabs154,156unattached to each other. A user thus can grip the pull tabs154,156to open the finished pouch100.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the segment220at the stage depicted inFIG. 5. This view better illustrates the relative positions of the front and rear walls110,120, the gussets130,140, and the fold lines190,192,181,182,183,184,185. The heat seal152and pull tabs154,156are also shown.

FIG. 7depicts another stage of the illustrative formation process after the formation of a lock seal194along the lateral end106. The lock seal194extends all the way to the lateral edge187of the segment220, and extends all the way to the edges of the upper and lower ends102,104of what will ultimately become the pouch100. The lock seal194can overlap and strengthen a lateral end portion of the heat seal152. A greater amount of energy can be imparted to the segment220to form the lock seal194, as compared with the upper seal152. In some embodiments, the lock seal194is formed via heat sealing equipment. Other sealing methods and processes, such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, may also be used.

FIG. 8depicts another stage of the illustrative formation process after the cavity170of the pouch100has been filled with a food product172. Once the food product172is in place, an additional lock seal196can be formed along the lateral end108in any suitable manner, and the segment220can be cut from the roll stock205(FIG. 4). The lock seal196extends all the way to the lateral edge188of the segment220, and extends all the way to the edges of the upper and lower ends102,104of the pouch100. The lock seal196can overlap and strengthen a lateral end portion of the heat seal152.

With continued reference toFIG. 8, in other methods for forming the pouch100, the lateral seals194,196may be formed before the upper seal152. For example, in some embodiments, the lateral seal194,196may be formed as the segment220is positioned about a forming collar, and an opening can be present between the upper gusset140and the rear wall120. Thereafter, the food product172can be introduced into the partially formed pouch100and the seal152can then be formed. In some methods, the lateral seals194,196and the upper seal152can be formed as part of the same process via a single set of equipment, such as an FFS machine. In other methods, the lateral seals194,196can be formed to provide a partially formed pouch, and the pouch may be filled and the upper seal152provided by a different set of equipment at a later time and/or a different facility.

FIG. 9depicts another embodiment of a pouch300that can resemble the pouch100described above in certain respects. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “3.” Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the pouch300may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the pouch300. Any suitable combination of the features and variations of the same described with respect to the pouch100can be employed with the pouch300, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter, wherein the leading digits may be further incremented.

The pouch300does not include an extension, such as the extension160discussed above with respect to the pouch100. Rather, upper edges of a rear wall310and of an upper gusset340are at substantially the same height as an upper edge of a front wall310. Stated otherwise, a seal region350can be at approximately the same height as an upper end312of the front wall310.

The pouch300can include a peel seal352at which the pouch300can be opened, and can include lateral seals394,396such as the lock seals194,196discussed above. In some embodiments, the pouch300can include additional seals, which can enhance the structural rigidity of the pouch300. In particular, ancillary seals332,334may be included at the upper end312and at a lower end314of the front wall310, respectively. An additional ancillary seal (not shown) may be included at the base of a rear wall320of the pouch300. The ancillary seals may be formed in any suitable manner, and such as by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, etc. In some embodiments, the pouch300may be formed on VFFS equipment having quad seal functionality.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bdepict another embodiment of a pouch400in a closed or sealed state and in an open state, respectively. The pouch400can include an extension460such as the extension160described above. A seal region450of the pouch400can include at least a portion of the extension460.

In some embodiments, the pouch400includes pull tabs454,456. The pull tabs may include discrete grips436,437. For example, in some embodiments, the discrete grips436,437are positioned at a central portion (in in a lateral dimension) of the pouch400. The discrete grips436,437may be shaped by cutting out notches497,498at the upper ends of a rear wall420and upper gusset440. A seal452can extend along a lateral width of the pouch400and can be below the notch regions497,498, as shown inFIG. 10B.

In some embodiments, the pouch400can include one or more attachment features407,409that can aid in maintaining the pouch400in an open configuration. In some embodiments, one or more of the attachment features can comprise an adhesive. For example, the adhesive, such as an adhesive tape, may be attached to an outer surface of the upper gusset440at one or more of a rearward and forward portion thereof. A pull-strip (not shown) may be included over the adhesive to preserve the adhesive prior to its initial use. In other or further embodiments, one or more of the attachment features can comprise hook-and-pile fasteners (with complementary portions thereof attached at other appropriate portions of the pouch400).

In some embodiments, the pouch400includes the attachment feature407, which may be an adhesive tape. The attachment feature407may be positioned on a rearward portion of the upper gusset440, as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, and/or may be positioned at other portions of the upper gusset440, such as on the forward portion of the gusset440. The attachment feature407may attach opposing sides of the upper gusset440together to maintain the pouch in the open configuration shown inFIG. 10B.

In other or further embodiments, the pouch400includes the attachment feature409, which can be positioned on the pull tab portion454of the upper gusset440, which extends above a front wall410of the pouch400. As shown by an arrow inFIG. 10B, the pull tab454can be folded over an upper edge of the front wall410and the attachment feature409can secure the rearward end of the upper gusset440to the front wall410. Other suitable arrangements are contemplated.

FIG. 11depicts another embodiment of a pouch500having a seal region550, wherein the pouch500is shown in an open state. The seal region550can include a zipper561capable of forming a reclosable seal553. In some embodiments, the zipper561includes two zipper tracks562,563that are positioned on front and rear walls510,520of the pouch500, respectively. The zipper tracks562,563can be complementary to each other and configured to engage each other to seal closed the pouch500.

In other embodiments, the zipper561can be replaced with a hook-and-pile, hook-and-hook, or other suitable reclosable system. Accordingly, the zipper tracks562,563can be replaced with complementary connection interfaces that are configured to interact with each other to seal closed the pouch500. In various embodiments, the reclosable seal553formed by the zipper561or other reclosable system can be airtight, liquid tight, air pervious, or liquid pervious.

In various embodiments, the reclosable seal553can be positioned above or below a non-reclosable seal552. In the illustrated embodiment, the reclosable seal553is positioned below the non-reclosable seal552. The non-reclosable seal552can be a heat seal (e.g., a peel seal) such as described above, and may maintain the reclosable system (e.g., the zipper561) in a sterile condition prior to use of the pouch500. In other embodiments, the pouch500may include the reclosable seal553and omit the non-reclosable seal552.

In the illustrated embodiment, both the reclosable seal553and the non-reclosable seal552are positioned within an extension560. The extension560can, in some instances, provide adequate space for inclusion of multiple seals without negatively affecting operation of an upper gusset540in opening and closing the pouch500. In other embodiments, the pouch500may be devoid of an extension560, and may resemble the pouch300.

FIG. 12depicts another embodiment of a pouch600having a seal region650that includes a reclosable seal653, wherein the pouch600is shown in a sealed state. The reclosable seal653comprises an adhesive strip665on a rear wall620that is configured to selectively engage with a rearward portion of an upper gusset640.

In some embodiments, the seal region650includes a non-reclosable seal652of any suitable variety. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-reclosable seal comprises a tear-away strip659that extends along a full lateral width of the pouch600. The tear-away strip659can be removed from the pouch600to provide access the contents of the pouch600, and the reclosable seal653can be used thereafter to selectively close and open the pouch600.

A tear-away strip can similarly be used with embodiments of the pouch500. Moreover, in other embodiments, a tear-away strip may be the only seal within the seal region550. Certain of such single-seal embodiments where the seal is completely removed from the pouch can be particularly well suited for single-use pouches.

In some embodiments, the pouches500,600can be shorter than what is depicted inFIGS. 11 and 12. For example, in some embodiments, a ratio of the height of a pouch500,600to its width can be less than what is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. Certain of such shorter arrangements may be more readily used as a bowl. Other relative configurations are also contemplated.

In various embodiments, a pouch may be configured as a stand-alone package. For example, the pouch may be capable of standing on its own, and may be presented independently or individually on a market shelf. In other embodiments, multiple pouches may be packaged together, such as in shrink-wrap packaging. In still other or further embodiments, one or multiple pouches may be packaged in a box.

Although much of the foregoing disclosure is discussed in the context of packaging for food, it should be appreciated that embodiments of pouches disclosed herein may be used for non-food items. Similarly, pouches of single-use, single-serving, single-portion, or small-quantity packaging as well as pouches of multi-use, multi-serving, multi-portion, or large-quantity packaging are possible. The pouches may be formed in a variety of sizes and configurations. In some instances, some variations in addition to size may exist between the smaller and larger format pouches. For example, in some embodiments, larger format pouches may be formed of a stiffer material. The stiffer material may aid in maintaining the pouch shape and allowing the pouch to stand on its own. The stiffer material also may aid in maintaining the opening in an open state, as a width of the opening can be bigger for the larger format packages, thereby increasing the width of the gusset, which would otherwise tend to make the gusset more pliable. Other alterations are also possible, such as omitting or including various heat seals (e.g., omission or use of quad seal equipment) and/or, where heat seals are present, increasing or decreasing a width of each heat seal.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of one or more of the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “generally.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where such a qualifier is used, the terms includes within its scope the qualified word in the absence of the qualifier.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any embodiment require every feature shown in a particular drawing.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an” are to be construed as meaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having” are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Recitation of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.