Abstract:
A single-use container having front and back panels positioned in face-to-face relationship and joined with a sealed region around three edges to define a pouch, with a fourth edge unsealed to form a first opening in the pouch. A pressure sensitive strip on the front and back sides adjacent the opening of the pouch to seal the opening when the front and back sides are pressed closed. A tear line is formed at an opposing end of the pouch to enable opening of the opposing end of the pouch. The container may include a tool pouch defined on four sides by the sealed region and containing a spreading tool. The tool pouch is intersected by the tear line, such that, when the container is torn along the line, the tool is released from the tool pouch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of storage containers for consumables, and in particular to one-time-use containers configured to hold sufficient product for a single use. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Consumers are familiar with single-use containers, such as the packets that hold individual servings of ketchup and mustard found at many fast food restaurants. The packet is opened by tearing across one end to create an opening, and the contents are then squeezed out as necessary. The empty packet is then discarded. These packets are manufactured in a variety of sizes and are used to dispense a variety of products, including, for example, in addition to common condiments, honey, frozen confections, powdered mixes for beverages such as hot cocoa and apple cider, and many other food products. Additionally, manufacturers provide single-use quantities of shampoos, creams, and other toiletries, as promotional samples. Industrial applications of single-use packaging includes adhesives, lubricants, and hand cleaners. 
   While such packaging is often very convenient, the portion sizes and contents are selected by the manufacturer. This type of single-use packaging is not suitable for use by consumers because it requires specialized machinery to fill and close such packages. Accordingly, there is a need for disposable, one-time use packaging that allows an individual to select not only the contents but the quantity on a personalized basis. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to an embodiment of the invention, a fillable, disposable single-use container is provided. The container includes front and back panels positioned in face-to-face relationship, the panels formulated to resist fluids. A sealed region joins the front and back panels together around a perimeter to define a pouch between the front and back panels, with a portion of the perimeter unsealed to form a first opening of the pouch. A pressure sensitive strip is located on the sides adjacent the first opening of the pouch and configured to seal the first opening when the sides of the container are pressed closed by the user. A tear line defines a line along which the container is configured to be opened, the tear line positioned such that tearing along the line will create a second opening in the container. The container may include a spout defined by a portion of the sealed region where the region narrows along a short length of the perimeter. The spout is positioned, relative to the tear line, so that when the container is torn along the tear line, the spout is opened. 
   According to another embodiment of the invention, the single-use container further includes a flap coupled to the back panel and extending beyond an edge of the front panel, the flap configured to fold over the front panel, closing the first opening. The pressure sensitive strip is positioned on the flap and includes a release liner positioned over the pressure sensitive strip, such that, when the release liner is removed, the pressure sensitive strip is exposed. 
   According to another embodiment of the invention, the single-use container further comprises a tool pouch defined on four sides by the sealed region and containing a spreading tool. The tool pouch is intersected by the tear line, such that, when the container is torn along the line, the tool is released from the tool pouch. 
   According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of operation is provided, including the steps of placing a quantity of a product, ideally sufficient for one use, within a container via an opening therein, sealing the opening, tearing the container to open a spout therein, and dispensing the product through the spout. Ideally, the step of tearing includes releasing a tool sealed in a tool pouch adjacent the formed spout. Alternatively, the tool pouch forms the spout when the container is torn open. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a single-use container according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows the container of  FIG. 1  in cross-section, taken along the lines  2 — 2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a detail of the container of  FIG. 1 , illustrating particular features thereof. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  show sequential steps for closing and sealing the container of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a detail of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  shows a detail of a third embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  shows an orthographic view of the single-use container according to the embodiment of FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of the container according to the embodiment of  FIG. 7  taken along the lines  8 — 8 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a single-use container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows a detail of the embodiment of FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a detail of a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A single use container  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , according to a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  shows the single use container  100  in plan view while  FIG. 2  shows the container  100  in cross-section, taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . It will be understood that the figures are not drawn to any particular scale and are intended merely as examples.  FIG. 2 , especially, is exaggerated to better illustrate the various features of the container  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the single use container  100  includes a front panel  111  and a back panel  113 . The front and back panels  111 ,  113  are joined together in a sealed region  102 , extending on three sides of the container  100 , which defines a storage pouch  112  having an opening  117 . The front and back panels  111 ,  113  are joined using a known method, such as heat welding, RF welding, solvent welding, or the use of adhesives, for example. 
   The front and back panels  111 ,  113  may be formed from any of a wide variety of materials, including a number of different types of plastics, Mylar, metallized or plasticized paper, and equivalent materials as known to those skilled in the art. Criteria for the selection of the material and dimensions of the container  100  include availability, cost of manufacture, disposability, flexibility, and intended use. For example, the material may be selected to be impermeable to fluids such as water based products, oil based products, etc. The material may also be selected to be impermeable to gaseous fluids, to maintain freshness of the contents. 
   A narrowing of the sealed region  102  of the container  100  defines a narrow excursion  106  of the pouch that extends close to an edge  115  of the container  100 . A tear line  104  extends across a width of the container  100  close to the edge  115  and bracketing the excursion  106 , such that, when the container is torn along the tear line  104 , the storage pouch  112  is opened at the excursion  106  and forms a spout  107 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . The tear line  104  is shown in the figures as a row of perforations. However, it will be understood that the tear line in this and other embodiments of the invention may comprise a scored line in the material of the container, or a notch in an edge of the container positioned such that the material of the container will tear at the notch when subjected to sufficient shear force by the user. Other means for facilitating easy tearing at the selected location of the container are considered equivalent. 
   Alternatively, the container  100  may be formed without an excursion  106 , in which case the tear line  104  is positioned to be torn along the line  104  so that a bottom region of the container, such as a corner, is opened to form a spout. 
   The back panel  113  includes a closure flap  108 , which extends beyond an edge  105  of the front panel  111 . A strip of pressure sensitive adhesive  118  extends across the closure flap  108 , such that, when the closure flap  108  is folded over the edge  105  of the front panel  111 , the pressure sensitive adhesive strip  118  joins the closure flap  118  to the outer surface of the front panel  111 , thereby sealing the pouch  112 . A release liner strip  116  is positioned over the pressure sensitive adhesive strip  118  to protect the adhesive strip  118  until such time as the closure flap  108  is folded over. The back panel  113  may include a scored line  109  corresponding to an optimal folding point of the flap  108 . 
     FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate the procedure for closing the container  100  after it is filled with product.  FIG. 4  shows the release liner  116  partially peeled away from the adhesive strip  118 .  FIG. 4B  shows the closure flap  108  partially folded over and in  FIG. 4C  the closure flap  108  is completely folded over in the sealed position on the front panel  111 . 
   The single use container  100  may be formed in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, according to its intended use. The container  100  may include gussets, tucks, or pleats, for the purpose of modifying the shape or capacity of the pouch  112 . Such modifications are well known in the art and will not be discussed in detail here. 
   The single use container  100  is suitable for storage and dispensing of small quantities of selected of products. For example, the container  100  may be used to hold a small quantity of mayonnaise or some other condiment to be packed in a lunch with a sandwich. The user would first place the condiment within the pouch  112  via the open end of the pouch  117 . The release liner  116  is then peeled away from the adhesive strip  118 , whereupon the closure flap  108  is folded over at the score line  109  and pressed firmly against the front panel  111 , with the adhesive strip  118  therebetween, sealing the pouch  112 . When the user is ready to dispense the condiment, the tear tab  114  is separated from the rest of the container  100  at the tear line  104 , opening the spout  107 . The user then applies downward pressure on the pouch  112  until the condiment is forced through the spout  107  as directed by the user. 
   It will be recognized that the single use container  100  may be used in a variety of applications, in addition to storing and dispensing condiments. For example, the container  100  may be used for storing small amounts of shampoo or other toiletries for use in travel kits, obviating the need to carry bottles or large tubes of such toiletries. Liquid adhesives, lubricants, and other industrial substances may be stored in single use quantities in the container. Other possible uses for the container will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which a second pouch  124  is defined by the sealed region  102 . A tool  122  is trapped within the second pouch  124  during the manufacturing process of the container  120 . The tool  122  may be formed, for example, from rigid plastic or thin wood and is configured to facilitate the dispensing and spreading of the contents of the container  120 . The tear line  104  intersects the second pouch  124  such that, when the tear tab  126  is separated from the rest of the container  120  along the tear line  104 , the tool  122  is released from the second pouch  124  at the same time that the excursion  106  of the pouch  112  is opened to form the spout  107 . The tool  122  is then used to disburse the contents of the pouch  112 . Alternatively, the tool pouch is formed in the area of the sealed region that becomes the spout. 
     FIGS. 6-8  illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention in which the front panel  111  of the single use container  130  is provided with a score or crease  132  describing an arc that begins at or near a first end  105   a  of the edge  105  of the front panel  111 , then descends downward onto the front panel  111 , and terminates at a second end  105   b  of the edge  105  of the front panel  111 . The arcuate score  132  defines, between the score  132  and the edge  105 , a self-stiffening flap  134 . 
   The flap  134  is configured so that when compressing pressure is applied at points p, as indicated in  FIG. 7 , while slight downward pressure is applied to the edge  105  of the front panel  111 , the opening  117  of the pouch  112  widens, and the self-stiffening flap  134  angles inward. As the compressing pressure increases, the inward angle of the flap  134  also increases, becoming more rigid because of the arcuate shape of the score  132 . 
     FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 7  showing the container  130  in the position previously described, with the flap  134  angled inward at the score line  132 . As may be seen, the flap  134  and the lower portion of the front panel  111  define a substantial angle therebetween. 
   In use, the self-stiffening flap  134  is advantageous, inasmuch as it provides a rigid or semi-rigid edge upon which a tool, such as a knife, spoon, or spatula may be scraped. Thus, the user may insert a spatula loaded with mayonnaise into the opening  117 , then draw the spatula against the edge  105  of the flap  134  to scrape the mayonnaise off the spatula for deposit within the pouch  112 . When the pressure is released from the points p on the container, the flap  134  returns to its normal configuration, whereupon the closure flap  108  may be sealed against the upper portion of the panel  111 , as previously described. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention, in which the single use container  140  is formed in the shape of a cone or funnel. According to this embodiment of the invention, the container  140  does not rely upon a fold-over flap for closure, as in previous embodiments. Instead, the top edges  144   a ,  146   a  of the front and back panels  144 ,  146  of the container  140  are each provided with pressure-sensitive adhesive strips  118  covered by release liner strips  116 . A tab or streamer  142  is affixed at one end to each of the release liner strips  116 , such that, when the tab  142  is pulled away from the container  140 , both of the release liner strips  116  will be peeled from their respective adhesive surfaces, thereby exposing the pressure-sensitive adhesive  118  on the edges  144   a ,  146   a  of the front and back panels  144 ,  146 . After the release liners  116  are removed from the pressure-sensitive adhesive  118 , the edges  144   a ,  146   a  may be pressed together to seal the container  140 . 
   An advantage of the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10  is that, because the release liners  116  are present on both surfaces to be joined, contaminants will not interfere with closure of the container  140 . Whatever materials are inadvertently deposited on the edges  144   a ,  146   a  of the container as it is being filled will be removed when the liners  116  are removed from the adhesive  118 , exposing clean surfaces for an effective seal. 
   According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the edges  144   a ,  146   a  are provided with a pressure-sensitive interlocking-closure  148 , of a type commonly known and used in the industry for reopenable closures on plastic bags, and illustrated in cross-section in FIG.  11 . Such a closure permits opening and resealing of the pouch opening  117  while providing a secure closure. 
   While various embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated as being formed using front and back panels, it will be recognized that the single-use container may be formed using tubular material, such that the sealed region  102  is not required to define the sides of the storage pouch  112  but only an end portion of the container. Alternatively, the container may be formed by folding material and sealing along one edge only, or by folding from two sides, with a seam formed on a front or back panel of the container. Thus, the use of the terms “front” and “back” panels in the specification or in the claims is not intended to suggest that the panels must be formed separately. 
   It will also be recognized that features of the various embodiments of the invention may be combined according to the needs of a particular use, and thus, such combinations fall within the scope of the invention. 
   All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. 
   From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.