Package with pocket and method for making the same

Abstract

A flexible package and method for making the same provides for a package that has a pocket formed adjacent to a portion of a package. Thereby, the package, such as a snack food package, can be filled with one product in the main compartment of the package and can be filled with a separate product in the pocket. To realize this, the package is formed with an extra length of film extended adjacent to the main portion of the tube of the package. First and second longitudinal seals are provided to form a pocket over a portion of the tube of the package. The package can then be filled with a first product in the main portion of the package and a second product in the separate and distinct pocket.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible package, comprising: 
 a film body formed as a discrete package for containing a first product; and    a pocket for containing a second product from a main body of the package containing the first product wherein the film body and the pocket are produced from a continuous segment of film.    
     
     
         2 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein the package is formed from a loop of the continuous segment of film having the first and second products placed within the package prior to sealing both terminal ends of the loop.  
     
     
         3 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein a back seal is formed axially along the package to form the main body.  
     
     
         4 . The flexible package of  claim 3  wherein the pocket is formed from overlapped film body positioned adjacent to a portion of the main body.  
     
     
         5 . The flexible package of  claim 4  wherein the pocket begins at a first back seal and extends axially to at least a second back seal.  
     
     
         6 . The flexible package of  claim 5  wherein terminal ends of the pocket are sealed to portions of terminal ends of the package.  
     
     
         7 . The flexible package of  claim 5  wherein one or more additional back seals are provided to form one or more additional pockets.  
     
     
         8 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein the second product is a printed graphic or food product.  
     
     
         9 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein the second product is air.  
     
     
         10 . A method for forming a package with a pocket, comprising: 
 forming a sheet of film into a tube with an overlapped segment of film extending adjacent to the tube to form a the pocket;    providing at least two seals longitudinally along the pocket; and    sealing transversely both terminal ends of the tube and the pocket to form a flexible package with pocket.    
     
     
         11 . The method for forming the package of  claim 10  further comprising placing product within the package prior to sealing the package at both terminal ends of the tube.  
     
     
         12 . The method for forming the package of  claim 10  wherein the pocket is formed by extending the film outwardly and over the main body of the tube to a predetermined length.  
     
     
         13 . The method for forming the package of  claim 10  wherein the pocket is formed along a back portion of the tube.  
     
     
         14 . The method for forming the flexible package of  claim 10  further comprising positioning a printed graphic or food product within the pocket prior to forming the transverse seals at the terminal ends.  
     
     
         15 . The method for forming the flexible package of  claim 10  wherein at least one additional seal is formed longitudinally between the at least two longitudinal seals to form at least two pockets over the main body of the tube.