Patent Publication Number: US-11655077-B2

Title: Squeezable dispensing package and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/793,689, filed Oct. 25, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/285,293, filed May 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,828,143, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/725,465, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,586,727, filed Dec. 21, 2012, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and the priority of each of which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of containers. The present invention relates specifically to a container with a rupturable inner membrane. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a heat-sealed squeezable dispensing pouch. The pouch includes an outer sheet having a front wall, a rear wall and a folded edge located between the front wall and the rear wall. The outer sheet is folded along the folded edge such that an inner surface of the front wall faces an inner surface of the rear wall. The pouch includes a first heat seal coupling the inner surface of a peripheral section of the front wall to a peripheral section of the inner surface of the rear wall such that the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls define an interior chamber. The pouch includes a rupturable inner membrane formed from a contiguous, single monolayer of thermoplastic material, and the rupturable inner membrane is located within the interior chamber. The rupturable inner membrane divides the interior chamber into a contents compartment and a dispensing channel. The first heat seal defines an edge of the contents compartment and the folded edge defines an edge of the dispensing channel. A second heat seal couples the rupturable inner membrane to the inner surface of the front wall, and a third heat seal couples the rupturable inner membrane to the inner surface of the rear wall. A score line formed in both the front and rear walls located between the folded edge and the rupturable inner membrane, and the score line is configured such that the portion of the outer sheet between the score line and the folded edge can be removed to create a dispensing opening in the dispensing channel. The rupturable inner membrane is configured to break when the pressure within the contents compartment is greater than a rupture threshold, and the first, second and third heat seals are configured to remain sealed when the inner membrane breaks. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a fluid dispensing container. The container includes a container body formed from a first flexible material, and the container body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a filling end and a dispensing end. The inner surface of the container body defines an interior cavity. The container includes a membrane formed from a second flexible material and a seal coupling the membrane to the inner surface of the container body at a position located between the filling end and the dispensing end. The membrane divides the interior cavity into a contents chamber and a dispensing chamber, and the membrane and the seal are configured to be fluid tight to maintain fluid within the contents chamber prior to rupture of the membrane. The rupture stress of the second flexible material is less than the rupture stress of the first flexible material such that, as fluid pressure within the contents chamber increases, the membrane is configured to rupture without the container body rupturing. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of forming a container. The method includes the step of providing a first sheet of first flexible material and a second sheet of second flexible material. The method includes the step of folding the first sheet creating a folded edge that divides the first sheet into a front wall and a rear wall. The front wall and the rear wall each have an upper edge opposite the folded edge. The method includes the step of positioning the second sheet between the front wall and the rear wall of the folded first sheet. The method includes the step of creating a first heat seal attaching a front surface of the second sheet to an inner surface of the front wall of the first sheet. The method includes the step of creating a second heat seal attaching a rear surface of the second sheet to an inner surface of the rear wall of the first sheet and the step of creating a third heat seal attaching a left side of the front wall to a left side of the rear wall to seal the left side of the container. The method includes the step of creating a fourth heat seal attaching a right side of the front wall to a right side of the rear wall to seal the right side of the container. The method includes the step of filling the container through a filling opening defined by the upper edges of the front and rear walls of the first sheet. The method includes the step of creating a fifth heat seal attaching the upper edge of the front wall to the upper edge of the rear wall sealing the filling opening. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a dispensing pouch according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a dispensing pouch including an extended spout according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevation view of the dispensing pouch of  FIG.  1    according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the pouch of  FIG.  1    taken along line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG.  3    according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a cross-sectional view of the pouch of  FIG.  1    taken along line  5 A- 5 A shown in  FIG.  3    according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a cross-sectional view of the pouch of  FIG.  1    taken along line  5 B- 5 B shown in  FIG.  3    according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed view of a portion of  FIG.  4    depicting a heat seal according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing pouch following opening of the dispensing passage according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing pouch following rupture of the internal membrane according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7 C  is a detailed view of a portion of the dispensing pouch of  FIG.  7 B  showing rupture of the internal membrane according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 F  show formation of a dispensing pouch according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  show formation of a dispensing pouch including an extended spout according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a dispensing container are shown. Generally the various embodiments of the container include an outer container body or sidewall and an internal wall or membrane that is located within the container body. The membrane separates the interior cavity of the container into two portions or subsections, a contents compartment and a dispensing passage. Container contents, for example, fluid or liquid contents are stored within the contents compartment prior to use of the container. When the container is to be opened, the user creates an opening in the portion of the container body defining the dispensing passage. At this point, the fluid contents of the container are maintained within the contents chamber by the membrane. To dispense the fluid, pressure within the contents chamber is increased, for example by squeezing the portion of the outer container body over the contents chamber. When the pressure reaches the rupture stress of the membrane, the membrane ruptures allowing the contents of the container to flow from the contents chamber into the dispensing passage and out through the opening. The material of the membrane is selected to be weaker than the material of the outer container body and weaker than the attachment points of the membrane such that the membrane will rupture while the outer container body and attachment points (e.g., heat seals) remain intact, providing for controlled dispensing of fluids from the container. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a dispensing container, shown as fluid dispensing pouch  10 , is depicted according to an exemplary embodiment. Dispensing pouch  10  includes a container body, shown as body  12 . Generally, body  12  includes a front portion or wall  14  and a rear portion or wall  16  opposite front wall  14 . Pouch  10  includes a filling end, shown as upper end  18 , and a dispensing end, shown as lower end  20 . As explained in more detail below, upper end  18  is open prior to being sealed allowing pouch  10  to be filled, and lower end  20  is opened by the user such that fluid may be dispensed from pouch  10  at the time of use. 
     In the embodiment shown, body  12  is formed from a flexible material such that pouch  10  is a flexible or squeezable container. In this embodiment, front wall  14  is attached to rear wall  16  by one or more seals or attachments formed between the peripheral sections of front wall  14  and the opposing peripheral sections of rear wall  16 . Specifically, pouch  10  includes a left lateral heat seal  22 , a right lateral heat seal  24  and an upper heat seal  26 . Left lateral heat seal  22  couples the left lateral edge of front wall  14  to the left lateral edge of rear wall  16 . Right lateral heat seal  24  couples the right lateral edge of front wall  14  to the right lateral edge of rear wall  16 . Upper heat seal  26  couples the upper edge of front wall  14  to the upper edge of rear wall  16 . Thus, as shown, left lateral heat seal  22  defines the left lateral edge of pouch  10 , right lateral heat seal  24  defines the right lateral edge of pouch  10 , and upper heat seal  26  defines the upper edge of pouch  10 . As shown in more detail below, upper heat seal  26  is formed following filling of the container through an open upper end. 
     In one embodiment, heat seals  22 ,  24  and  26  are seals formed by melting together an adhesive layer located on the inner surfaces of front wall  14  and/or rear wall  16 . In one embodiment, heat seals  22 ,  24  and  26  are formed by melting together a thermoplastic material. In other embodiments, other types of seals may be used. In one embodiment, seals  22 ,  24  and  26  may be formed by ultrasonic welding, and in another embodiment, seals  22 ,  24  and  26  may be formed from a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     In the embodiment shown, body  12  of pouch  10  is formed from a folded, single contiguous sheet of flexible material. In this embodiment, pouch  10  includes a folded edge  28 , shown located at lower end  20 . Front wall  14  and rear wall  16  are located on opposite sides of folded edge  28 , and the material of body  12  is folded along folded edge  28  such that the inner surfaces front wall  14  and rear wall  16  face each other and may be coupled together. In another embodiment, front wall  14  and rear wall  16  are formed from separate sheets of material, and in this embodiment, lower end  20  includes a seal (e.g., a heat seal, weld, etc.) closing the bottom edge of the pouch in place of folded edge  28 . 
     Pouch  10  includes a membrane  30  (the upper and lower edges of membrane  30  are depicted by the dotted lines in  FIG.  1   ), and membrane  30  extends between the inner surfaces of front wall  14  and rear wall  16 . Pouch  10  includes a contents holding portion  32  located above membrane  30  and a dispensing spout  34  located below membrane  30 . As explained in more detail below, portion  32  includes an inner cavity or chamber above membrane  30  that holds the contents of the container prior to rupture of membrane  30 , and membrane  30  is a continuous single portion of material that holds the container contents within the contents chamber of pouch  10  prior to rupture of the membrane. 
     Dispensing spout  34  is located below membrane  30  and extends generally from membrane  30  to folded edge  28 . Dispensing spout  34  generally defines a dispensing passage that provides a pathway for fluid to flow out of pouch  10  following rupture of membrane  30  and creation of an opening or aperture in spout  34 . In this embodiment, because folded edge  28  provides for a continuous portion of material, folded edge  28  acts as a seal along the distal end of spout  34 . In one embodiment, spout  34  includes a frangible tear line  36  located adjacent to folded edge  28  (e.g., tear line is located closer to folded edge  28  than membrane  30 ). Tear line  36  provides a weakened area to facilitate the removal of the portion of spout  34  between tear line  36  and folded edge  28  to create the opening in spout  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in another embodiment, pouch  10  may include an elongated dispensing spout  38 . Spout  38  is configured to facilitate dispensing of fluid into certain containers that may be difficult to fill using a shortened spout  34 . For example, spout  38  may be placed into a container having a small filling opening (e.g., a motor oil filler oil, the opening of refillable spray bottle, etc.) allowing the fluid from pouch  10  to be filled directly into the container without the need for a funnel or other filling device. Spout  38  may be different lengths and widths to suit different applications. In one embodiment, the length of spout  38  (e.g., the distance between membrane  30  and folded edge  28 , the distance between membrane  30  and tear line  36 ) may be greater than 30% of the total length of pouch  10 , and in another embodiment, the length of spout  38  may be greater than 50% of the total length of pouch  10 . In another embodiment, the length of spout  38  may be between 25% and 75% of the total length of pouch  10 . Similarly, the width of spout  38  may be narrower that the width of the pouch  10  at upper heat seal  26 . This configuration provides a spout which is more useable for small openings without limiting the width of the pouch  10  at the contents holding position and thus provides a narrow spout without limiting the corresponding volume of pouch  10 . In one embodiment, the width of spout  38  is less than 50% of the width of pouch  10  at upper heat seal  26 , and in another embodiment, the width of spout  38  is less than 30% of the width of pouch  10  at upper heat seal  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a side elevation view of pouch  10  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the peripheral edge of the portion of pouch  10  between membrane  30  and the upper edge at upper heat seal  26  is a substantially rectangular section. Dispensing spout  34  includes a tapered section that tapers inward toward the longitudinal axis of pouch  10  as the dispensing spout  34  extends towards folded edge  28  and away from upper heat seal  26 . In other embodiments, pouch  10  may be formed such that its peripheral edge has other shapes, for example, triangles, squares, circles, ovals, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a cross-section view of pouch  10  taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG.  3   , is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Front wall  14  includes an inner surface  50 , and rear wall  16  includes an inner surface  52 . Inner surface  50  and inner surface  52  define the interior cavity  54 . Membrane  30  separates interior cavity  54  into a contents chamber  56  and a dispensing passage  58 . In the embodiment shown, liquid contents  60  are located in contents chamber  56 , and membrane  30  provides a barrier maintaining contents  60  within contents chamber  56  prior to the rupture of membrane  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pouch  10 , membrane  30  is substantially U-shaped having a front wall  62  and rear wall  64 . A front heat seal  66  attaches the front surface of membrane front wall  62  to inner surface  50  of body front wall  14 , and a rear heat seal  68  attaches a rear surface of membrane rear wall  64  to inner surface  52  of body rear wall  16 . Front heat seal  66  and rear heat seal  68  extend the width of pouch  10  between lateral heat seals  22  and  24 , as shown by the dotted line representation of front heat seal  66  shown in  FIG.  3   . The material of membrane  30 , front heat seal  66  and rear heat seal  68  are fluid tight such that liquid contents  60  are maintained in contents chamber  56 . While seals  66  and  68  are shown in the exemplary embodiments as heat seals, other sealing and attachment arrangements may be used between membrane  30  and outer body  12 . For example, pressure sensitive adhesive or ultrasonic welds may be used to provide fluid tight seal and attachment between membrane  30  and the inner surface of body  12 . 
     Liquid contents  60  may be a wide variety of materials that are suitable to be contained within a dispensing pouch such as pouch  10 . For example, in one embodiment, liquid contents  60  is a single use amount of a ready to use liquid. In one embodiment, liquid contents  60  may be a ready to use cleaning solution, stain remover, a personal care product (e.g., shampoo, hand lotion, antibacterial lotion, hand soap, etc.), automotive fluid (e.g., motor oil, coolant, gasoline additive, windshield washer fluid, etc.), etc. In another embodiment, liquid contents  60  is a single use amount of a concentrate solution. In various embodiments, the concentrate may be a cleaning concentrate or a drink concentrate. In other embodiments, liquid contents  60  may be any other suitable concentrate material, for example, pesticide concentrates, herbicide concentrates, fertilizer concentrates, automotive fluid concentrates, pharmaceutical concentrates, medical solution concentrates, nutritional supplement concentrates, etc. In these embodiments, the user will dispense the concentrate from pouch  10  into a suitable container, and will add a the proper amount of diluting agent (e.g., water, saline, etc.) to prepare a mixture at the desired concentration level. In one embodiment, pouch  10  is a small size for easy carrying in a bag or pocket. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , a cross-sectional view of pouch  10  taken along line  5 A- 5 A in  FIG.  3   , is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. While front heat seal  66  and rear heat seal  68  provide for the fluid tight bond that extends laterally along the inner surface of body  12  across the width of pouch  10 , a fluid tight seal between membrane  30  and body  12  is also provided along the left and right lateral edge of pouch  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  5 A , the left and right lateral portions of membrane  30  are positioned between front wall  14  and rear wall  16  of body  12  within the left and right lateral heat seals  22  and  24 . Thus, at the position of membrane  30  within the lateral heat seals  22  and  24 , the inner surface  50  of body front wall  14  is attached to the outer surface of membrane front wall  62 , the inner surface of membrane front wall  62  is attached to the inner surface of membrane rear wall  64 , and the outer surface of membrane rear wall  64  is attached to the inner surface  52  of body rear wall  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 B , a cross-sectional view of pouch  10  taken along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG.  3   , is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  5 B  shows left lateral heat seal  22  and right lateral heat seal  24  at an exemplary position that does not include membrane  30 . In this embodiment, the inner surface  50  of body front wall  14  is attached to inner surface  52  of body rear wall  16  within heat seals  22  and  24 . The upper heat seal  26  shown in  FIG.  4    is also formed from an attachment between the inner surface  50  and inner surface  526 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a detailed view of rear wall  16  and membrane  30  at rear heat seal  68  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown, container body  12  and thus, rear body wall  16  is made from a sheet of multilayer material and membrane  30  is made from a single layer or monolayer material. In one such embodiment, the material of container body  12  includes an inner adhesive layer  80 . Inner adhesive layer  80  bonds to the material of membrane  30  to form heat seals  66  and  68  and to provide the sealing within the portions of lateral heat seals  22  and  24  shown in  FIG.  5 A . Inner adhesive layer  80  also bonds with itself to form lateral heat seals  22  and  24  and upper heat seal  26  in those places without membrane  30  (see  FIG.  5 B ). 
     In one embodiment, the material of the outer container body  12  is formed from a multilayer supported film material. In one such embodiment, the inner adhesive layer  80  is a heat sensitive adhesive, for example a thermoplastic, and at least one of the other outer layers is a strengthened supporting material. In one embodiment, at least one of the outer layers is a foil material, and in another embodiment, at least one of the outer layers is a nylon material. In one such embodiment, membrane  30  is made from a sheet of polymer monolayer material that bonds with the heat sensitive adhesive. For example, in one embodiment, membrane  30  is made from a thermoplastic material that melts to form a fluid tight seal with the thermoplastic of inner adhesive layer. In one embodiment, inner adhesive layer  80  and membrane  30  are made from the same thermoplastic material. For example, inner adhesive layer  80  and membrane  30  may both be a polyethylene material. In other embodiments, inner adhesive layer  80  and membrane  30  are other suitable thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 A- 7 C , dispensing of contents from container  10  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG.  7 A , a dispensing opening  90  is created along dispensing passage  58 . In the embodiment shown, dispensing opening  90  is created by tearing folded edge  28  along tear line  36  to remove folded edge  28  from body  12 . In other embodiments, dispensing opening  90  may be created in other ways. For example, in one embodiment, body  12  does not include tear line  36  and dispensing opening  90  may be created by cutting folded edge  28  from body  12 . In another embodiment, dispensing opening  90  may be a preformed opening closed by a closure, for example, a peelable foil closure that is removed prior to dispensing. The sealed end of dispensing passage  58  provided by folded edge  28  (or one of the other sealing mechanisms) provides a backup seal that maintains the contents of pouch  10  with container body  12 , even if membrane  30  were to rupture inadvertently prior to intended use. Thus, folded edge  28  may act to limit the chance of spilling if membrane  30  were to be ruptured unintentionally. 
     After dispensing opening  90  is formed, membrane  30  is ruptured to release contents  60  from contents chamber  56  into passage  58  to allow for contents  60  to be dispensed through opening  90 . To rupture membrane  30 , pressure within contents chamber  56  is increased such that the pressure is greater than a rupture threshold of membrane  30 . As shown in  FIG.  7 A , the flexible material of body  12  allows an inwardly directed force F to be applied to the outer surfaces of front wall  14  and rear wall  16  resulting in an increase in pressure within contents chamber  56 . In one embodiment, pouch  10  is sized to fit within the user&#39;s hand or between the user&#39;s fingers such that force F is representative of the user squeezing pouch  10 . As shown in  FIG.  7 B and  7 C , when the pressure within contents chamber  56  exceeds the rupture threshold of membrane  30 , membrane  30  ruptures or breaks at a position between heat seals  66  and  68  to create a membrane breach  92 . When membrane  30  ruptures, bonds within the material of membrane  30  break or separate from itself resulting in the creation of the dispensing opening. When membrane  30  ruptures, contents chamber  56  is placed in fluid communication with dispensing passage  58 , allowing contents  60  to flow from contents chamber  56 , through membrane breach  92  into dispensing passage  58  and then through dispensing opening  90 . 
     In various embodiments, the materials of body  12  and membrane  30  and the structure of the heat seals of pouch  10  are selected such that membrane  30  is the portion of pouch  10  that ruptures or fails upon the increase of pressure within contents chamber  56 . In one such embodiment, the material of body  12  is stronger than the material of membrane  30  such that when the rupture threshold of membrane  30  is reached, membrane  30  ruptures but body  12  remains intact. Further, the heat seals  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  66  and  68  are structured to remain sealed when the rupture threshold of membrane  30  is reached. These configurations help to provide for controlled dispensing by ensuring that membrane  30  breaks while the heat seals and the outer body of pouch  10  remain intact. In various embodiments, the melt temperature used to make a seal relates to the strength of seal. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the melt temperature used to form heat seals  66  and  68  is substantially the same as or similar to the melt temperature used to make heat seals  22 ,  24 , and  26 . Using as substantially similar melt temperature for all of the heat seals of pouch  10  helps to ensure that none of the heat seals are weaker than the other heat seals, and thus, helps to ensure that membrane  30  is the portion that ruptures upon increase in pressure. In one embodiment, the melt temperature used to make the heat seals is between  275  and  350  degrees Fahrenheit, is more specifically between  290  and  310  degrees Fahrenheit, and specifically is about  300  degrees Fahrenheit. 
     In various embodiments, body  12  and membrane  30  may be each formed such that membrane  30  has a rupture stress (i.e., the stress at which the material ruptures) that is less than the rupture stress of body  12 . In one such embodiment, body  12  and membrane  30  may be each formed from different materials, such that the rupture stress of membrane  30  is less than the rupture stress of body  12 , to provide for differential failure upon squeezing discussed above. For example, in one embodiment, membrane  30  is made from a first type of material and body  12  is made from a second type of material, and the rupture stress of the first type of material is less than the rupture stress of the second type of material. In addition, the rupture stress of membrane  30  is also less than the rupture stress of the heat seals of pouch  10 . In another embodiment, membrane  30  and body  12  may be formed from the same type of material (e.g., both are monolayers of the same type of thermoplastic) but with different thicknesses such that membrane  30  has a rupture stress less than the rupture stress of body  12 . Further, in various embodiments, the squeeze to dispense operation of pouch  10  may facilitate dispensing without spilling as compared to pouring from standard rigid wall containers or to dispensing from a package without internal membrane  30 . 
     In various embodiments, the rupture stress of membrane  30  is selected to be rupturable by application of manual force. In such embodiments, the rupture stress of membrane  30  is between 0.5 psi and 80, specifically is between 2 psi and 30 psi, and more specifically is between 5 psi and 15 psi. In one specific embodiment, the rupture stress of membrane  30  is about 8 psi. In various embodiments, membrane  30  having rupture stresses discussed in this paragraph is formed from a polymeric material, as discussed above, and in one embodiment, is polyethylene. In such embodiments, the rupture stress of body  12  may be greater than 100 psi, may be greater than 150 psi and may be greater than 200 psi. 
     In other embodiments, pouch  10  is designed such that membrane  30  is ruptured by application of force by a device, machine or vice, and in such embodiments, the rupture stress of membrane  30  may be greater than a rupture stress that can be ruptured by application of manual force. In such embodiments, pouch  10  may be configured to hold various contents (e.g., chemicals, cleaning agents, lubricants, motor oil, etc.) that are typically used in conjunction with a machine or device such that rupture of membrane  30  within the machine or device is desirable to dispense the contents into the device for use. For example, in one embodiment, pouch  10  is configured to be ruptured within the mop wringer of a mop bucket. In such embodiments, the rupture stress of membrane  30  is greater than 80 psi, and specifically is greater than 120 psi. 
     In various embodiments, membrane  30  is formed from a material having a thickness between 0.5 mil and 2.5 mil, specifically between 0.5 mil and 1.5 mil, and more specifically between 0.5 mil and 1.0 mil. In one specific embodiment, membrane  30  is formed from a material having a thickness of about 0.75 mil. In one specific embodiment, membrane  30  is formed from a material having a thickness of about 0.75 mil having a rupture stress of about 8 psi. In various embodiments, membrane  30  having thickness discussed in this paragraph is formed from a polymeric material, as discussed above, and in one embodiment, is polyethylene. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 A- 8 F , manufacture of pouch  10  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  8 A , a first sheet of material  100  is provided from which outer container body  12  is made, and a second sheet of material  102  is provided from which membrane  30  is made. Sheet  100  is folded into a substantially U-shaped configuration such that sheet  100  has a front portion  104 , a rear portion  106  and a folded edge  108  that provides the folded transition from front portion  104  to rear portion  106 . As shown in  FIG.  8 A , a section of front portion  104  becomes front wall  14  of pouch  10 , a section of rear portion  106  becomes rear wall  16  of pouch  10 , and a section of folded edge  108  becomes folded edge  28  of pouch  10 . 
     Sheet  102  is also folded into a substantially U-shaped configuration such that sheet  102  has a front portion  110 , a rear portion  112  and a folded edge  114  that provides the folded transition from front portion  110  to rear portion  112 . As shown in  FIG.  8 A , a section of front portion  110  becomes front wall  62  of membrane  30  and a section of rear portion  112  becomes rear wall  64  of membrane  30 . Sheet  102  is positioned between front portion  104  and rear portion  106 , as shown in  FIG.  8 A , such that the inner surfaces of front portion  104  and rear portion  106  of the outer sheet  100  face the outer surfaces of front portion  110  and rear portion  112  of inner membrane material sheet  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8 B , formation of heat seals attach membrane material sheet  102  to the inner surfaces of body material sheet  100  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown, the heat seals coupling membrane material sheet  102  to the inner surface of body material sheet  100  (e.g., heat seals  66  and  68 ) are formed by heat bars  120 . Heat bars  120  are heated to the desired melt or weld temperature and contact the outer surface of body material sheet  100  such that the inner adhesive layer  80  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) melts and bonds to the outer surface of membrane material sheet  102  forming heat seals  66  and  68 . An inner supporting member  122  may be used to support material sheets  100  and  102  as heat bars  120  press inward during formation of the heat seals. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 C , following attachment of membrane  30  to the inner surface of outer material sheet  100 , lateral heat seals  22  and  24  are formed. Lateral heat seals  22  and  24  may be formed by contact of heat bars, similar to heat bars  120 , vertically to define the lateral edges of pouch  10 . As shown in  FIG.  8 D , material sheets  100  and  102  are cut to the left of left lateral heat seal  22  and to the right of right lateral heat seal  24 . This cutting separates pouch  10  from material sheets  100  and  102 . As shown in  FIG.  8 E , upper end  18  of pouch  10  is initially an open filing end allowing container contents  60  to be filled through the open filing end. As shown in  FIG.  8 F , following filing of pouch  10 , upper end  18  is sealed by upper heat seal  26 . In various embodiments, the steps shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 F  occur in the order shown. In some embodiments, the process shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 F  repeats sequentially, at different positions along material sheets  100  and  102 , such that multiple pouches  10  are formed from sheets  100  and  102 . In one embodiment, various heat seal and filling equipment may be configured to create pouch  10  as shown in  FIGS.  8 A- 8 F . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9 A  and  FIG.  9 B , formation of pouch  10  including elongated spout  38  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  9 A , the lateral heat seals include first and second horizontal heat seals  140  and  142  that extend inward from lateral heat seals  22  and  24 , respectively. First and second spout heat seals  144  and  146  extend along the lateral edges of spout  38  downward away from the inner portions of first and second horizontal heat seals  140  and  142 , respectively. As shown, first and second spout heat seals  144  and  146  extend the length of spout  38  from first and second horizontal heat seals  140  and  142  to folded edge  28 . As shown in  FIG.  9 B , following formation of first and second spout heat seals  144  and  146 , excess portions  150  of the material of sheet  100  are cut from pouch  10  to create elongated spout  38  that is narrower than the contents containing portion of pouch  10 . 
     The Figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.