Seal tamper indicator for multi-compartment packaging

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method of detecting any compromise to the seal separating the compartments in two-compartment flexible packages. Such seal tamper indicating system may include a middle seal area configured to form an interface compartment between the two main compartments, the interface compartment providing a visual indicator of whether a seal has been compromised. In another embodiment, a flow valve device may be connected between two compartments, the normally closed position of the valve providing the sealing between the two compartments until the contents of the two compartments are ready to be mixed.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A flexible two-compartment container system for storing two or more components of a formulation to be kept separate until ready to be mixed provided with a seal tamper indicating feature comprising: 
 a flexible container formed by two sheets of a substantially flexible material interengaged in a face-to-face configuration with peripheral edges being sealed in a non-peelable manner;    a middle seal band dividing the container into two main compartments, each compartment holding one or more components of the formulation;    the middle seal band formed by a pair of peelable seals extending across the full width of the container and establishing a flow communication between the two main compartments when the peelable seals are unsealed;    the peelable seals being spaced apart and parallel to each other forming an interface compartment between the two peelable seals so that a presence of one or both contents of the two main compartments in the interface compartment provides an indication of any compromise of the peelable seals separating the two main compartments.    
     
     
         2 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two sheets of the flexible material is transparent or translucent at the interface compartment portion.  
     
     
         3 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface compartment is in a vacuum condition.  
     
     
         4 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface compartment is filled with air or some other gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         5 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 2 , wherein the interface compartment contains a material that changes color upon interaction with air, water, or one or both of the contents of the two main compartments.  
     
     
         6 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pair of pull tabs provided for separating the peelable seals apart;    each pull tab having a base frame, the base frame of each pull tab being secured to exterior surface of the flexible container in register with the middle seal band so that a pull tab is attached to each side of the container opposing each other;    whereby the peelable seals are unsealed by pulling the pull tabs apart and separating the peelable seals.    
     
     
         7 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 6 , wherein the base frames are hingeably attached to the pull tabs.  
     
     
         8 . A flexible two-compartment container system for storing two or more components of a formulation to be kept separate until ready to be mixed provided with a seal tamper indicating feature comprising: 
 a flexible container formed by two sheets of a substantially flexible material interengaged in a face-to-face configuration with peripheral edges being sealed in a non-peelable manner;    a middle seal band extending across the full width of the container defining two main compartments, each compartment holding one or more components of the formulation;    the middle seal band formed by an external sealing clip;    the external sealing clip having an upper leg and a lower leg, each leg having an inside surface and an outside surface where the legs are oriented such that the inside surfaces face each other;    a first pair of sealing ridges provided on the inside surface of the upper leg and a second pair of sealing ridges provided on the inside surface of the lower leg where the two sets of sealing ridges cooperate to form a pair of seals across the full width of the container forming the middle seal band separating the two main compartments when the upper and lower legs are closed across the flexible container;    the pair of seals forming an interface compartment between the seals so that a presence of one or both contents of the two main compartments in the interface compartment provides an indication of any compromise of the pair of seals.    
     
     
         9 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 8 , wherein the upper and lower legs are hingeably joined to each other at one end.  
     
     
         10 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 9 , wherein the upper and lower legs are further provided with snap closure tab mechanisms at the end opposite from the hingeably joined end.  
     
     
         11 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the two sheets of the flexible material is transparent or translucent at the interface compartment portion, and the upper leg and the lower leg each has at least one open window area through which the interface compartment is visible.  
     
     
         12 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface compartment is in a vacuum condition.  
     
     
         13 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface compartment is filled with air or some other gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         14 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface compartment contains a material that changes color upon interaction with air, water, or one or both of the contents of the two main compartments.  
     
     
         15 . A flexible two-compartment container system for storing two or more components of a formulation to be kept separate until ready to be mixed provided with a seal tamper indicating feature comprising: 
 a flexible container formed by two sheets of substantially flexible material interengaged in a face-to-face configuration with peripheral edges being sealed in a non-peelable manner;    an external sealing clip having an upper leg, a lower leg, and a center member, each leg having an inside surface and an outside surface where the legs are oriented such that the inside surfaces face the center member from opposite sides of the center member;    a sealing ridge provided on the inside surface of the upper leg, a second sealing ridge provided on the inside surface of the lower leg, and sealing ridges on both sides of the center member, where the sealing ridges on the upper and lower legs cooperate with the sealing ridges on the center member to form a pair of seals across the full width of the container, one of the seals formed by the center member and the upper leg and the other seal formed by the center member and the lower leg, when the container is positioned between the center member and the two legs, and are closed across the flexible container;    an interface compartment formed between the pair of seals so that a presence of one or both contents of the two main compartments in the interface compartment provides an indication of any compromise of the pair of seals.    
     
     
         16 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 15 , wherein the upper and lower legs are hingeably joined to the center member at one end.  
     
     
         17 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 16 , wherein the upper and lower legs are further provided with snap closure tab mechanisms at the end opposite from the hingeably joined end.  
     
     
         18 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the two sheets of the flexible material is transparent or translucent at the interface compartment portion.  
     
     
         19 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 15 , wherein the interface compartment is in a vacuum condition.  
     
     
         20 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 15 , wherein the interface compartment is filled with air or some other gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         21 . A flexible two-compartment container system according to  claim 15 , wherein the interface compartment contains a material that changes color upon interaction with air, water, or one or both of the contents of the two main compartments.  
     
     
         22 . A two-compartment container system for storing two or more components of a formulation to be kept separate until ready to be mixed provided with a seal tamper indicating feature comprising: 
 two compartments of a container each containing one or more components of a formulation;    a flow valve mechanism connecting the two compartments, the flow valve mechanism comprising, a valve body provided with two flow openings, each flow opening substantially surrounded by a sleeve for connecting to a compartment, a central chamber within which a valve member sits;    the valve member having a flow channel and manipulable between two positions, a closed position where the flow valve mechanism forms a fluid-tight seal between the two compartments, and an open position wherein the flow channel allows a flow communication between the two compartments; and    the flow valve mechanism being formed of a rigid transparent or translucent material, so that a presence of one or both contents of the two compartments in the flow channel provides an indication of any compromise of the fluid-tight seal between the two compartments.    
     
     
         23 . A two-compartment container system according to  claim 22 , wherein the flow channel contains a material that changes color upon interaction with air, water, or one or both of the contents of the two compartments.