Pouch arrangement for distributing material and methods

Abstract

A pouch arrangement includes a distribution aperture arrangement in a gusset member. The gusset member is covered with a removable cover. A zipper closure selectively exposes and closes the gusset member. At an opposite end, a handle arrangement is provided. The pouch construction may be filled with a flowable material through an opening adjacent to the handle arrangement with the zipper unengaged and the gusset expanded and covered by the removable cover. A seal can be applied between the handle arrangement and the gusset to close the opening. The filled pouch is then displayable by resting it on the expanded gusset, with the zipper closure unengaged and the distribution aperture arrangement covered by the removable cover. In use, the removable cover is removed to expose the distribution aperture arrangement. Flowable material is allowed to pass through the distribution aperture arrangement in the gusset. After use, the gusset end of the pouch is closed by engaging the zipper closure.

1 . A pouch arrangement comprising:
 (a) first and second opposed panel sections; each of the panel sections having a first end edge, a second end edge, and opposite side edge portions extending between the first and second end edges; the first and second panel sections being secured to one another along at least a portion of the panel section side edge portions to define a pouch construction interior and opposite side edges;   (b) a base gusset member having distribution apertures therein; the base gusset member extending between the first and second panel sections adjacent to the second end edges across an end of the pouch construction interior;   (c) a removable cover member oriented on the base gusset member to cover the distribution apertures;   (d) at least one handle aperture extending through the first and second panel sections at a location oriented adjacent to the first end edges; and   (e) a zipper closure secured to the first and second panel sections adjacent to the second end edges and being selectively closeable and openable to permit selective exposure of the base gusset member.   
   
   
       2 . A pouch arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the removable cover member comprises an adhesively-backed cover member.   
   
   
       3 . A pouch arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the at least one handle aperture comprises at least a first and second hole extending through the first and second panel sections; each of the first and second holes being sized to accommodate an adult-sized human finger.   
   
   
       4 . A pouch arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the at least one handle aperture comprises at least a first and second hole extending through the first and second panel sections; each of the first and second holes being sized 8-20 cm 2 .   
   
   
       5 . A pouch arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the base gusset member is secured to the first and second panel sections with a pair of angled seals.   
   
   
       6 . A pouch arrangement according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) a flowable material located in the pouch construction interior; and   (b) a seal securing the first and second panel sections together;
 (i) the seal being between the side edge portions; and 
 (ii) the seal being located between the at least one handle aperture and the base gusset member. 
   
   
   
       7 . A method of making a pouch arrangement; the method comprising:
 (a) providing first and second opposed panel sections; each of the panel sections having a first end edge, a second end edge, and opposite side edge portions extending between the first and second end edges;   (b) providing a zipper closure secured to the first and second panel sections;   (c) providing a base gusset member having distribution apertures therein and a removable cover member oriented on the base gusset member to cover the distribution apertures;   (d) securing the first and second panel sections to one another along at least a portion of the panel section side edge portions to define a pouch construction interior and opposite side edges;   (e) securing the base gusset member between the first and second panel sections adjacent to the second end edges across an end of the pouch construction interior; the zipper closure being adjacent to the second end edges and being selectively closeable and openable to permit selective exposure of the base gusset member; and   (f) punching at least one handle aperture through the first and second panel sections at a location oriented adjacent to the first end edges.   
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein:
 (a) the step of securing the base gusset member is before the step of securing the first and second panel sections to one another.   
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein:
 (a) the step of securing the base gusset member is after the step of securing the first and second panel sections to one another.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 7  further comprising:
 (a) securing the base gusset member to the first and second panel sections with a pair of angled seals.   
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein:
 (a) the step of punching is done before the steps of securing the base gusset member and securing the first and second panel sections to one another.   
   
   
       12 . A method of filling a pouch arrangement; the method comprising:
 (a) providing a pouch arrangement having:
 (i) first and second ends and an interior, 
 (ii) a base gusset member having a distribution aperture arrangement; the distribution aperture arrangement being covered with a removable cover; the base gusset member being adjacent to the second end and providing closed second end, 
 (iii) an unengaged zipper closure secured to the pouch arrangement adjacent to the second end, 
 (iv) at least one handle aperture extending through the pouch arrangement adjacent to the first end; 
   (b) at least partially filling the pouch arrangement interior with a flowable material through an opening at the first end; and   (c) after at least partially filling, closing the first end by providing a closure across the pouch arrangement and between the at least one handle aperture and the base gusset member.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the step of providing a pouch arrangement includes providing first and second opposed panel sections; each of the panel sections having a first end edge, a second end edge, and opposite side edge portions extending between the first and second end edges; the first and second panel sections being secured to one another along at least a portion of the panel section side edge portions to define the interior and opposite side edges; the first end edges defining the first end; and the second end edges defining the second end; and   (b) the step of closing the first end includes providing a seal between the first and second panel sections.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  further comprising:
 (a) after the step of closing the first end, orienting the pouch arrangement on the second end by standing the pouch arrangement on the base gusset member, the zipper closure being unengaged, and the base gusset member being removably covered.   
   
   
       15 . A method of using a pouch; the method comprising:
 (a) providing a pouch having first and second opposed panel sections defining an interior; a first end; and a second end;
 (i) at least one handle aperture adjacent to the first end defined by the first and second panel sections; 
 (ii) a seal between the first and second panel sections and being between the at least one handle aperture and the second end; 
 (iii) a stand-up gusset adjacent to the second end and extending between the first and second panel sections; the stand-up gusset having a distribution aperture arrangement; the distribution aperture arrangement being covered with a removable cover member; 
 (iv) an unengaged zipper closure secured to the first and second panel sections adjacent to the second end; 
 (v) a flowable material in the interior; 
   (b) removing the cover member to expose the distribution aperture arrangement; and   (c) distributing at least a portion of the flowable material from the interior through the distribution aperture arrangement.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein:
 (a) after the step of distributing, engaging the zipper closure to secure the first and second panel sections together and block flow of the flowable material through the distribution aperture arrangement in the base gusset member.