Patent Publication Number: US-2009238499-A1

Title: Multi-compartment flexible package

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS  
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/857,292, filed Sep. 18, 2007, which in turn is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/456,971, filed Jun. 6, 2003 and now abandoned, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/386,798, filed Jun. 6, 2002; wherein each of the above-referenced applications and disclosures are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention relates generally to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to flexible packaging having at least one segregated internal compartment capable of fluid communication with a main package compartment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     Conventional flexible packaging does not generally include compartments within the internal cavity of the package. Typically, a wall is simply positioned down a section of the internal cavity of the main packaging such that a division is merely created for the internal cavity. Distinct and selectively usable compartments within the cavity are not provided for in these conventional package designs. More specifically, conventional packaging lacks selectively usable and distinct compartments capable of fluid communication with each other. 
     As a result, there is a need for a flexible package that substantially solves the above-referenced problems with conventional package designs, configurations, and manufacturing methods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention solves many of the problems that plague conventional flexible packages and packaging methods. Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a main package and a segregated internal compartment package. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. These panel portions can include a front panel portion, a back panel portion, and a bottom panel portion. In addition, the main package can include a first side panel portion and a second side panel portion. The formation of these panels into the main package defines a main internal compartment or cavity for holding material contents. Any of the panels can be gusseted with the processes and techniques known to one skilled in the art. The compartment package can include at least one internal compartment panel portion disposed between the main panel portions (e.g., back and front) to define a separate internal secondary compartment. 
     In one embodiment, the secondary internal compartment is some size generally smaller than the vertical or longitudinal length of the front and back panels, of varying available width. Further, the internal compartment panel can include a plurality of defined passageways providing distinct channels of fluid communication between the secondary internal compartment and the main internal compartment. 
     The secondary internal compartment having such passageways can be of varying sizes and shapes, and can be formed or sealed to define a plurality of internal compartments in communication with the main package compartment. Such an internal compartment can be utilized to hold or contain sauces, condiments, frozen contents, gelatinous contents, or like contents or substances, thus permitting selective communication of the contents within the internal compartment with the space or contents of the main package compartment through the passageways. The passageways can be of varying sizes, shapes, designs, configurations and can vary greatly in number depending on the particular needs of the manufacturer and end users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a multi-compartment package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side section schematic view of a multi-compartment package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package having side panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side section schematic view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5   a  is a top view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 3   a.    
         FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal and side panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   c  is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   d  is a perspective view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   e  is a front view of a multi-compartment package having a longitudinal seal and notch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a multi-compartment package having a temporary seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side section schematic view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of feeding and aligning stations and methods used in forming multi-compartment packages in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of sealing, cooling, and cutting stations and methods used in forming multi-compartment packages in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an opened or unsealed multi-compartment package with an inter-compartment passageway portion and seal area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a multi-compartment package with an inter-compartment passageway portion and seal area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side section schematic view of the multi-compartment package of  FIG. 11  with an inter-compartment passageway and seal area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a close-up view of a portion of the inter-compartment passageway portion of  FIG. 12  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an opened or unsealed multi-compartment package with an inter-compartment passageway portion and seal area, and multiple secondary compartments, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For illustrative purposes, hatching or shading in the figures is generally provided to demonstrate sealed portions and/or integrated devices for the package. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-15 , a flexible package  10  in accordance with the present invention, and the manufacturing steps for forming said flexible package  10 , are shown. The package  10  generally includes a main package compartment  12  and a segregated internal compartment or package  14 . The main package  12  generally includes a front panel portion  16 , a back panel portion  18 , and a bottom panel portion  20 . The panels can be formed of one or more film webs or separately joined to define the various structures of the package  10 . 
     Further, a top panel portion  21  and/or at least one side panel portion  22  can be included in various embodiments, as demonstrated with side panels  22  in  FIGS. 2   b  and  5   b.  Panel portions  16 - 20  can be operatively joined, connected, or formed (e.g., directly or indirectly sealed, or folded from one or more film materials) to define an inner cavity  26  of the main package  10  for holding, transporting, or otherwise containing material contents. At least one of the front  16  or back  18  panel portions includes a main sealant surface  27  for bondable joining with selectively positioned portions of the internal compartment package  14 . The front panel portion  16  can include front longitudinal edges  17   a,    17   b  and the back panel portion  18  can include back longitudinal edges  19 . The cross-hatching in the figures can be utilized to generally denote the seal lines which are further described herein. 
     The segregated internal compartment package  14  generally includes at least one internal compartment panel portion  24 , wherein the compartment panel portion  24  is peripherally joined to the inner surface of at least one of the main package  10  panel portions to create a second compartment cavity  28 . The at least one internal compartment panel  24  includes an internal panel sealant surface  30 , longitudinal compartment panel edges  32   a,    32   b  and a transverse compartment panel edge or portion  34 . 
     The package portions  12 - 22  are generally constructed of flexible sheet material such as polyethylene, polyester, metal foil, polypropylene, or polyethylenes laminated with other materials such as nylon, polyester, and like films. To provide for higher barriers, embodiments can use combination layers of said materials and material of the like. Generally, the confronting or joinable materials of the main package  12  and the internal compartment package  14  must have acceptable sealing characteristics for bonding to the respective target material. For instance, the sealant surface  30  of the internal panel  24  is constructed of a plastic web of polyethylene, or a material with like characteristics and heat bonding qualities for joining to the target main sealant surface  27  of one of the main package panels, such as the front  16  or back  18  panel portions. One skilled in the art will understand that a myriad of materials and material laminates are available for selective use for the main sealant surface  27  and the internal sealant surface  30  to facilitate the bonding attachment described herein. In one embodiment, at least one of the sealant surfaces  27 ,  30  will comprise “contaminants” that permit a varying level of bonding, wherein the level of bondable attachment is dependent on the heat applied from a corresponding heat sealing bar or other device. Higher temperatures will create “destructive”, e.g., permanent, bonds while lower temperatures will create a more temporary bond for selective disengagement. Such bonding techniques can be applied at any sealable surface or region of the main package  12  or the internal compartment package  14  to create the desired level of bonding. 
     Preferably, the package of the present invention is to be formed into a stand-up pouch, but it could be a three-side-seal pouch, a pouch that displays lying down, or other known pouch or packaging designs and configurations. The internal panel or web  20  can be of the same width and height as the back and/or front panels, or it can be some size smaller, depending on the compartmental needs of the manufacturer or end user. Regardless, and unlike conventional techniques, the transverse compartment panel edge  34  of the internal panel  24  will generally not be bound to the main body of both the front and back panel portions. Instead, the edges  32  of the internal compartment panel  24  will be bonded intermediate the front  16  and back panels  18  and the transverse edge  34  will be bonded to only one of the front  16  or back  18  panels, generally some distance intermediate the bottom and top edges of said one of the front  16  and back  18  panels. In embodiments including the at least one side panel  22 , the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  will also be bonded to the same one of the front  16  or back  18  panels at respective edges  17 ,  19 . Bonding descriptions of the internal compartment panel  24  to various panel designations herein will generally require particular panel portion descriptions for ease of explanation, e.g., panels  16  and  18 , but it must be noted that each of the panel portions  16 ,  18  are interchangeably capable of providing the inner target surface for the internal panel  24  attachment, and the transverse edge  34  in particular. For instance, specific embodiments will require attachment or bonding of the internal panel  24  to the inner surface  27  of the back panel  18  where the outside surface of the front panel  16  includes graphical indicia. Attachment of the internal panel  24  to the back panel  18  will protect the indicia on the front panel  16  as specific sealing processes may require sealing bars to contact the outside of the package to bond the internal panel  24  in place. 
     In  FIGS. 1-2   a,  one embodiment of the package  10  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the internal compartment package  14  is defined by bonding the internal sealant surface  30  at the transverse edge  34  of the at least one internal compartment panel portion  24  to the main sealant surface  27  of the front panel  16 , with the back panel  18  being free from bonding contact with the transverse edge  34 . Again, the orientation of the panels  16 ,  18  in relation to the attachment of the internal panel portion  24  is merely for demonstrative purposes and can be interchangeable. Further, the bottom panel or panel portion  20 , or the bottom panel portion  20  defined by joining the ends of the front  16  and back panel  18  portions, is gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel portion  20 g. For ease of explanation and differentiation, gusseted panels may be denoted herein with a subscript “g” character. As best demonstrated in  FIG. 1 and 2   a,  the internal panel portion  24  spans substantially the full width of the front panel  16  but is closeably sealed some distances short of the complete longitudinal length of the front panel  16 . In this embodiment, the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel portion  24  are substantially and correspondingly matched and bonded to the longitudinal edges  17   a,    17   b  of the front panel  16  and the bottom transverse compartment panel edge  34  of the internal panel portion  24  is bonded across the front panel  16  some distance above the bottom panel portion  20   g . As such, the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  is attached at a transverse seal  36 , transverse to the longitudinal edges  17   a,    17   b  of the front panel portion  16  and the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24  itself. To prevent the internal panel  24 , and the transverse edge  34  in particular, from sealing to the back panel  18  during formation and sealing at the transverse seal  36 , a barrier material  40  such as Teflon™ (Polytetrafluoroethylene), Teflon™ coated materials, or materials of like heat barrier qualities and characteristics can be selectively disposed between the back panel  18  and the internal panel  24  proximate the line of the transverse edge  34 . During formation of the package  10 , the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24  are bonded intermediate the edge portions  17 ,  19  of the front  16  and back panel  18 . The described attachment of the internal panel portion  24  creates the compartment cavity  28 , wherein the capacity or volumetric capacity of the compartment cavity  28  is measurably smaller than that of the inner cavity  26  of the main package  10 . 
     In  FIGS. 3-5   e,  another embodiment of the package  10  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the internal compartment package  14  is also defined by bonding the internal sealant surface  30  at the transverse edge  34  of the at least one internal compartment panel portion  24  to the main sealant surface  27  of the front panel  16 , with the back panel  18  being free from bonding contact with the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24 . Further, the bottom panel  20 , or the bottom panel portion  20  defined by joining the ends of the front  16  and back panel  18  portions, is gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel portion  20   g . As best demonstrated in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a,  the internal panel portion  24  substantially spans the entire width of the front panel  16  and is closeably sealed some distance short of the complete longitudinal length of the front panel  16  at the transverse edge  34  and seal  36 . However, while the longitudinal edges  17   a,    17   b  of the front panel  16  are bonded with the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24 , respectively, an intermediate longitudinal seal  38  is provided at some location intermediate the edges  32   a,    32   b,  as demonstrated in  FIGS. 3-3   a,  and  5   b - 5   d.  The bonding at the longitudinal seal  38  traverses from the top of the package  10  down to the transverse edge  34  and seal  36 . As such, this creation of the longitudinal seal  38  between or intermediate the longitudinal edges  17   a,    17   b ,  32   a,    32   b  creates an internal compartment  14  measurably smaller in width than the overall width of the front panel  16  and the main package  10 . 
     While the transverse seal  36  can create a continuous bond between the front  16  panel and the internal panel  24  along the transverse edge  34 , attachment of the back panel  18  to the transverse edge  34  and seal  36  is preferably avoided to maintain the capacity and configuration of the inner cavity  26 . Since seal bars and other bonding mechanisms and techniques known to one skilled in the art are easily utilized and often implement a seal bar across the entire width of the package  10  at the line defined by the transverse edge  34 , it may be necessary to include a material barrier  40  protection along the line of the transverse edge  34  extending from the longitudinal seal  38  to the longitudinal edges  17   b,    32   b.  Like the previous embodiment, a barrier material  40  such as Teflon™, Teflon™ coated materials, or materials of like heat barrier qualities and characteristics can be selectively disposed between the back panel  18  and the front panel  16  along the width of the panels. This barrier  40  will prevent bonding of the back panel  18  to the transverse edge  34  along the seal  36  between the edges  17   a,    32   a  and the edges  17   b,    32   b , thus also providing a barrier along the seal  36  between the longitudinal seal  38  and the edges  17   b,    32   b.  At the same time, a bond is created between the front  16  panel and the internal panel  24  along the length of the transverse seal  36 . Various applications of such a barrier material to a selected portion of a package panel known to one skilled in the art can be employed without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The described attachment of the internal panel portion  24  creates the compartment cavity  28 , wherein the capacity or volumetric limitations of the compartment cavity  28  are measurably smaller than that of the inner cavity  26  of the main package  10 . The boundaries of the compartment  14  and compartment cavity  28  are generally defined in this embodiment by the u-shaped sealed continuity of the longitudinal edge  32   a,  the transverse edge  34 , and the longitudinal seal  38 . 
     With such an embodiment, it may be necessary to additionally bond at least a portion of the top region of the internal panel  24  to the top portion of the front panel  16 , distal the transverse seal  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-5   a,  and  5   d.  In  FIG. 5 , this top portion of the internal panel  24  is sealed to the top portion of the front panel  16  only from the longitudinal seal  38  to the longitudinal edges  17   b,    32   b.  Accordingly, the openings into the internal compartment cavity  28  and the main inner cavity  26  are distinctly defined. In  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   d,  the top portion of the internal panel  24  confronting the top portion of the back panel  18  is sealed between the longitudinal edges  17   a,    32   a  and the longitudinal seal  38 , and the top portion of the internal panel  24  confronting the top portion of the front panel  16  is still sealed to the top portion of the front panel  16  from the longitudinal seal  38  to the longitudinal edges  17   b,    32   b.  Each of the seals defined herein and shown in  FIGS. 5-5   a,  and  5   d  can be temporary or permanent and can be created using materials, techniques, and methods known to one skilled in the art. These embodiments create more defined and distinct openings into the compartment cavity  28  and the inner cavity  26  such that filling of each of said cavities  26 ,  28  with material and/or fluid contents is easily accomplished by various packagers using known filling techniques and machines. Upon filling of either or both of the cavities  26 ,  28 , the top portions of the front  16  and back  18  panels can be sealed together. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention can include a temporary seal  42  bond along any of the edges or seals of the internal panel  24 . Preferably, the temporary seal  42  is provided along the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  to create at least a portion of the transverse seal  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . In one embodiment of the temporary seal  42 , an adhesive, tape, or other selectively engageable material or substance comprises at least a portion of the transverse seal  36  such that when it is closeably engaged to temporarily bond the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  to the inner surface of one panel of the main package  10 , i.e., the sealant surface  27  of the front panel  16 , the compartment cavity  28  is segregated from the inner cavity  26 . However, when the temporary seal  42  is opened or disengaged, the compartment cavity  28  is brought into fluid communication with the inner cavity  26 . Such temporary seal embodiments can be utilized to isolate material contents of the two cavities  26 ,  28  until such time as it is needed and/or desirable. Medical materials and contents, food, liquids, solids, and a myriad of other materials and substances can be segregated for a desired period of time or use and then selectively brought into communication with such an embodiment. Further, communication between the cavities  26 ,  28  can be closed by engaging or actuating the temporary seal  42  to again provide desired segregation in those embodiments using adhesives, tapes, and the like. 
     In one embodiment, the temporary seal  42  will include a compatible tape material such that the temporary bond is broken upon sufficient pressure by the end user on the internal compartment  14  and/or main package  10  structures. In another embodiment, the temporary seal  42  is created by heat sealing the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  to the front  16  or back panel  18  portions in such a manner as to not create a permanent bond. As described herein, this temporary seal  42  generated from a heat sealing technique can comprise selectively utilizing materials with known contaminant characteristics such that a relatively low heat application along the seal  42  provides temporary sealing and avoids a destructive or permanent seal. Various selective and temporary bonding techniques known to one skilled in the art can be employed to implement and create the temporary seal  42  without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the temporary seal  42  techniques and methods can be included along the longitudinal seal  38  rather than the transverse edge  34  in those packages  10  implementing the compartment package  14  of  FIGS. 3-5   d.    
     Various embodiments can further include a notch  44 , as shown in  FIG. 5   e.  This notch  44  is preferably located proximate the longitudinal seal  38  at the top of the package  10  and traverses down into at least the internal panel  24  and one of the front  16  or back  18  panels. A slit can be further provided transversely running into the notch  44  to facilitate selective tearing. This notch  44  permits the end user or packager to selectively open one or both of the compartments  12 ,  14  to gain access into the corresponding cavities  26 ,  28 . Distinct access is thus permitted. For instance, a user can rip the notch  44  across to edges  17   a,    32   a  to access the internal compartment  12 , while ripping the notch  44  the opposite direction toward edges  17   b,    32   b  will provide access into the main package compartment  12 . 
     Each of the embodiments of the present invention can further include a tab or lip portion  39  at the top end portion of the internal panel  24  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  7 . The lip portion  39  generally extends some distance outside of the opened package  10  after formation to provide yet another means of facilitating the filling of the inner cavity  26  and/or the compartment cavity  28  with contents. By providing the lip  39 , a filling machine, such as a pouch machine, a form-fill-seal machine, a premade pouch filling machine or other like machines known to one skilled in the art can easily push back the internal panel  24  toward a panel (e.g., the back panel  18 ) of the package  12  opposite the panel having the sealing surface  27  (e.g., the front panel  16 ). In those packages and embodiments of the present invention attaching the internal panel  24  to the front panel  16 , this pushes the internal panel  24  towards the back panel  18  to more clearly define and separate the opening of the inner cavity  26  and the compartment cavity  28  such that contents designated for one cavity will not accidentally enter the other cavity. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 2   b  and  5   b,  the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  is similarly bonded to only one of the front  16  or back  18  panels. In addition, the inclusion of the at least one side panel  22  makes it possible to only bond the edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24  to the same of the front  16  or back  18  panels. For instance, the edges  19  of the back panel  18  are free from bondable sealing with the edges  17  of the front panel  16  and the edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24 . Instead, the edges  32   a  are bonded to edges  17   a  and edges  32   b  are bonded to edges  17   b.  As with the other embodiments, the longitudinal seal  38  can be included, as shown in  FIG. 5   b.  To prevent the edges  32   a,    32   b  from bonding to the back panel  18 , the barrier  40  and the various barrier techniques described herein can be employed at any of the sealing regions. With such an embodiment having a side panel  22 , expansion of the bottom panel  10 , or gusseted bottom panel  20   g,  and expansion of the side panel  22 , or side panel  22   g,  is not substantially hindered by the bonded internal panel  24  or its sealed portions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the manufacturing process generally includes placing the internal panel portion  24  between the front  16  and back  18  panel portions such that the segregated multi-compartment package  10  of the present invention is formed. This formation process generally comprises a roller feed station  50 , a gusseting/folding station  52 , an alignment station  54 , a first seal station  56 , and a side seal station  58 . The formation process can further include a cooling station  60  and a cut-off station  62 . Each of the base steps in forming the package  10  of the present invention can be performed by known pouch machines, form-fill-seal machines, and like machines known to one skilled in the art for forming pouches and/or forming and filling pouches in the confines of the same manufacturing process. 
     During formation of the package, the internal panel  24  is fed between the front  16  and back  18  panel portions such that the internal panel  24  extends from the top of the pouch down a distance short of where the folded gusset bottom  20 g starts, depending on the length of longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b.  As shown in  FIG. 8 , at the roller feed station  50 , a front panel web roll  64 , a back panel web roll  66 , an internal panel web roll  68 , and a bottom panel web roll  70  are each individually positioned and fed along a general web direction using rollers, brackets, guides, and other techniques and mechanism known to one skilled in the art for forming flexible packages. The sealant surface  27  of the front panel web roll  64  is facing inward toward the alignable internal web  68  and the internal panel sealant surface  30  of the internal panel web roll  68  is likewise facing out toward the alignable front panel web roll  64 . Prior to final alignment of the webs  64 - 70  before bondable sealing, the bottom web  70  can be gusseted at the gusseting station  52  using known techniques, mechanisms and methods known to one skilled in the art. For instance, a v-bracket can be inserted along an intermediate portion of the bottom web  70  as it is being fed through the process such that a gusset fold forms web  70   g  to define what will be bottom panel  20   g  for each of the packages  10 . 
     Referring primarily to  FIG. 9 , the aligned webs  64 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70   g  are positioned or laid upon each other and fed into the first seal station  56 . At this station, seals running along the line of the web direction but transverse to the orientation of the final package  10  can be employed. Specifically, a first seal bar  72  can contact the outer surface of a panel, such as a portion of the front panel web  64  (or the back panel web  66 ) to create the transverse seal  36 , and/or the temporary seal  42  to bondably attach the transverse edge  34  of the internal web  68 . Further, a second seal bar  74  can contact the outer surface of the front panel web  65  (or the back panel web  66 ) to fully seal the bottom gusseted panel web  70   g  to the front web  65  and/or the back web  66 . Following these seals at the first seal station  56 , the now partially-sealed webs  64 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70   g  continue along the web direction to the side seal station  58 . The side seal station  58  can include at least one side seal bar  76 , and preferably two side seal bars  76 , positioned and designed to contact the outer portion of the webs to intermediately seal the longitudinal edges  32  of the internal panel web  68  to the respective confronting edges  17 ,  19  of the front  64  and back  66  panel webs. A seal bar can be implemented at this stage to selectively seal along the package to form the longitudinal seal  38  described herein. As previously indicated, pieces or strips of Teflon™, or similar materials having beneficial heat resistant qualities have been placed at the designated target regions described herein so that unwanted bonding of particular panel portions is avoided. Following the sealing at the side seal station  58 , the boundaries and seals for the internal compartment package  14  and the main package  12  are defined for each contiguous package  10  passing along the web path of the machine. 
     As the now forming package  10  leaves the side seal station  58  along the web path of the machine, each package  10  can enter a cooling station  60 . The cooling station  60  can include at least one cooling bar  78  which is applied along the various seals, e.g., the seals created at the side seal station  58 , to lower the web material temperature to further promote and stabilize the bonds created. Once the cooling bars  78  have performed the cooling functions required upon application, each package  10 , still contiguously linked, can be separated to define the distinct package  10  at the cut-off station  62 . The cut-off station  62  can include a cutting device  80  such as a blade or other known mechanism that can trim the edges of the package  10  and cut the end package  10  from the adjacently joined package  10 . Other trimming devices and mechanisms can further be employed to trim the various edges of the package  10 . 
     With this manufactured package product, a compartmentalized package is created such that there is no mingling or intrusion of the contents of the distinct compartments  12 ,  14  and corresponding cavities  26 ,  28 . In addition, the transverse edge  34  of the internal panel  24  is generally bonded only to one of the selected target panels  16 ,  18 . This leaves the remaining panel not targeted for receiving the internal panel  24  free for movement. For instance, a bottom panel  20   g  and/or a side panel  22   g  are free to expand or contract contingent upon the insertion or removal of contents within the inner cavity  16 , thus not detrimentally affecting the functionality of the package  10  or the capacity or functionality of the compartment cavity  28 . Each cavity  26 ,  28  and package portion  12 ,  14  is substantially independent from the other. Various handles, graphics, closeable and re-closeable devices, gusseted portions, and like features known to one skilled in the art are also envisioned for use with this invention and can be implemented without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All references to front, back, bottom, and the like are merely for demonstrative purposes and are not intended to limit the variations and positional references and orientations of the panels in the present invention. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 10-15 , an embodiment is depicted having a plurality of inter-compartment passageways. In such an embodiment, the main package compartment or package cavity  26  and internal/secondary compartment or cavity  28  are again distinct or separate compartments within the package  10 . Likewise, the general formation and structure of the package  10  of such an embodiment can include the various steps, configurations and designs depicted or described herein. 
     In this passageway embodiment, the internal compartment package  14  can be defined by bonding or otherwise operatively joining (e.g., directly or indirectly) the transverse edge  34  of the at least one internal compartment panel portion  24  to the main sealant surface  27  of one of the front  16  or back  18  panels, with the other of the panels  16 ,  18  being free from bonding contact with the transverse edge  34 . Again, the orientation of the panels  16 ,  18  in relation to the attachment of the internal panel portion  24  is merely for demonstrative purposes and can be interchangeable. Further, the bottom panel or portion  20  defined by joining or forming the ends of the front  16  and back panel  18  portions, can be gusseted to create a bottom gusseted panel portion  20   g . 
     As best demonstrated in  FIGS. 11-12 , the internal panel portion  24  can span substantially the full width of the front or back panels  16 ,  18  but is generally closeably sealed some distances short of the complete longitudinal length of the panels. As such, the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel portion  24  are substantially and correspondingly matched and joined to the longitudinal edges  19  and the bottom transverse compartment panel edge  34  of the internal panel portion  24  is operatively across the front or back panels  16 ,  18  (e.g., back panel  18  in  FIGS. 10 ,  12 - 13 ) some distance above the bottom panel portion  20   g  to form a passageway portion  100 . The corresponding seal can be a “destruct” or permanents seal, or a more temporary seal, such as a peel seal application. 
     The passageway portion  100  provides fluid communication between the secondary compartment  28  and the main package compartment  26 . For example, in one embodiment, the passageway portion  100  can include a plurality of seal segments or lands  102  spaced or otherwise provided to define a plurality of passageways or channels  104 . A seal bar or other known device or process can be employed to seal the spaced land portions  102  to the inner sealant surface of the back panel  18 , while leaving the channels or openings  104  generally free of such bonding. The seal bar can include defined and extending segments to achieve the limited or selective contact surfaces for sealing the edge  34  to create the desired spaced lands  102 . This selective sealing of the transverse edge  34  along the inner surface of one of the main package panels can occur along any distance between the bottom and top portions of the panels  16 ,  18 . In addition, like other package configurations detailed herein, the passageway embodiment of the current invention can also include side panel portions, gusseted or non-gusseted. Further, the formation of the lands  102  and channels  104  can be accomplished by any means of bonding, sealing or forming package portions known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The shape, size, and spacing of the lands  102  and channels  104  can vary greatly according to content and package formation needs. 
     Like other embodiments described or depicted herein, an intermediate longitudinal seal  38  can be provided at some location intermediate the edges  32   a,    32   b.  The bonding at the longitudinal seal  38  traverses from the top of the package  10  down to the transverse edge  34 . As such, this creation of the longitudinal seal  38  between or intermediate the longitudinal edges of the package creates an internal compartment  28  divided into two or more compartments  28   a ,  28   b,  as demonstrated in  FIG. 15 . The multiple secondary compartments  28   a,    28   b  are shown in  FIG. 15  opened or otherwise not sealed closed at the top of the package, but could be sealed along the top of the package, e.g., to the top of the back panel  18 . The longitudinal seal  38  can be a temporary seal, such as a peel seal, or a destructive or permanent seal. As such, the contents of the two or more compartments within internal compartment  28  can be brought into selective communication with the other of the compartment  28 , or the main compartment  26 . This can be accomplished by manual force or pressure, cooking or heating, or a myriad of other techniques. Further, the transverse edge  34  can include the passageway portion  100  across its entire length, or just across a limited length or width of the package with the remainder of the edge beyond seal  38  being free of passageways. 
     To prevent the internal panel  24 , and the transverse edge  34  in particular, from sealing to one or more of the panels (e.g., front and/or back) during formation and sealing, a barrier material  40  such as Teflon™, Teflon™ coated materials, or materials of like heat barrier qualities and characteristics can be selectively disposed between the panels and the internal panel  24  proximate the line of the transverse edge  34 . During formation of the package  10 , the longitudinal edges  32   a,    32   b  of the internal panel  24  are bonded intermediate the edge portions of the front  16  and back panel  18 . The described attachment of the internal panel portion  24  creates the compartment cavity  28 , wherein the capacity or volumetric limitations of the secondary compartment  28  can be measurably smaller than that of the inner cavity  26  of the main package  10 . 
     In use, the secondary compartment  28  can be filled with material contents capable of selective communication with the main package compartment  26 . For instance, frozen, semi-frozen, gelatinous, granular, solid, and other like material contents  11  can occupy the secondary compartment  28  such that they do not readily traverse the channels  104  of the passageway portion  100  until desired. However, traversal can be initiated by heating and transforming the structure of the contents, squeezing or otherwise forcing the contents through the channels  104 , or via a myriad of other techniques or methods. For example, the secondary compartment  28  could include a frozen fluid, such as a sauce, that melts upon the application of heat, which in turn causes the fluid to flow through the channels  104  and into the main compartment  26  where compatible contents, such as pasta or rice, are present. This allows for the contents  11  of the secondary compartment  28  to remain distinct and separate from the contents of the main compartment  26  until a time when inter-compartmental communication is desired. The selection of contents  11  that can be included in compartments  26 ,  28  is nearly limitless and the examples provided herein are for demonstrative purposes only. 
     Various handles, graphics, closeable and re-closeable access devices, gusseted portions, and like features known to one skilled in the art are also envisioned for use with this invention and can be implemented without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, various passageway embodiments of the present invention can further include one or more notch or tear portions located proximate a longitudinal edge or top portion of the package  10  adapted for access through an opening. These notch portions permit the end user or packager to selectively open one or both of the compartments  12 ,  14  to gain access into the corresponding cavities  26 ,  28 . Distinct access is thus permitted. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Similarly, the above-described methods and techniques for manufacturing the present invention are illustrative sequential processes and are not intended to limit the methods of manufacturing the present invention to those specifically defined herein. It is envisioned that various depicted steps can be performed in differing substantive and sequential order. In addition, various unspecified steps and procedures can be performed in between those steps described herein without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the method of manufacturing the sam