Dual compartment flexible pouch and a fitment with dual-dispensing capabilities therefor

Abstract

Disclosed is a dual-dispensing plastic fitment comprising (a) a substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced open ends; (b) the dividing rib extending from the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting welding rib; (c) at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and outwardly projecting therefrom. Also disclosed are dual compartment flexible pouches and packages incorporating the fitment.

1 . A dual-compartment flexible pouch comprising a fitment and two compartments wherein the compartments are contiguous to each other; each compartment is in fluid communication with a through passage of the fitment; and the compartments are separated by a dividing seal.  
   
   
       2 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein each compartment comprises a fitment and each compartment is in fluid communication with a through passage of the fitment.  
   
   
       3 . The pouch of  claim 1  wherein the pouch comprises one fitment; the fitment comprises two through passages; and each compartment is separately in fluid communication with one of the through passages.  
   
   
       4 . The pouch of  claim 1  comprising a dual-dispensing fitment comprising a substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced open ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and outwardly projecting therefrom wherein the dividing rib extending from the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting welding rib.  
   
   
       5 . The pouch of  claim 1  that is a stand up pouch.  
   
   
       6 . The pouch of  claim 5  comprising (i) a first sheet of polymeric film; (ii) a second sheet of polymeric film superimposed on the first sheet of polymeric film wherein the first and second sheets of polymeric film are sealed to each other directly or indirectly through a third intervening polymeric film thus defining a sealed perimeter forming a closed pouch; and (iii) a seal internal to the perimeter of the closed pouch wherein the seal divides the closed pouch into separated compartments.  
   
   
       7 . The pouch of  claim 6  comprising a fitment comprising two through passages wherein one of the compartments is in fluid communication with a first through passage of the fitment and the other of the compartments is in fluid communication with the second through passage of the fitment.  
   
   
       8 . The pouch of  claim 7  wherein the fitment comprising a substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced open ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and outwardly projecting therefrom; and the dividing rib extending from the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting welding rib.  
   
   
       9 . A dual-dispensing plastic fitment comprising a substantially tubular body portion having a dividing rib integrally formed therein defining two through passages having axially spaced open ends and at least one basal welding rib integrally formed near the base of the body portion on the outer periphery thereof and outwardly projecting therefrom; and the dividing rib extending from the body portion to provide at least one downwardly projecting welding rib.  
   
   
       10 . The pouch of  claim 9  being a flexible pouch or package.  
   
   
       11 . A package comprising (a) a dual-compartment flexible pouch and (b) two different beverages or viscous fluids wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 1  and a first beverage or viscous fluid is confined to one of the compartments and a second beverage or viscous fluid is confined to the other of the compartments.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 2 .  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 3 .  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 4 .  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is a stand up pouch.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 6 .  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 8 .  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch is as recited in  claim 8 .  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the pouch comprises a fitment as recited in  claim 9 .  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19  comprising the beverage.  
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 19  comprising the viscous fluid.