Multi-compartment flexible package

Abstract

A flexible package is provided having a main package compartment and a segregated internal or secondary compartment. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. An internal compartment panel can include a transverse portion operatively joined to one of the main package panel portions to define the secondary compartment. Further, the secondary compartment can include a plurality of passageways providing fluid communication between the secondary compartment and the main package compartment.

1 . A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising:
 a main package portion having at least;
 a first panel including an inner first panel surface; and 
 a second panel including an inner second panel surface, with at least the first panel and second panel operatively connected to define a main package compartment; 
   an internal compartment panel including a generally transverse bottom portion operatively joined to the inner surface of the first panel to define a secondary compartment generally distinct from the main package compartment, the transverse bottom portion including a plurality of passageways providing fluid communication between the secondary compartment and the main package compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 1 , further including an access device to provide access into at least one of the secondary and main package compartments through an access opening. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the internal compartment panel includes at least one intermediate longitudinal seal portion operatively joined to the inner surface of the first panel. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary compartment is adapted to contain at least partially frozen contents. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary compartment is adapted to contain contents selected from a group consisting of: frozen substances, semi-frozen substances, solid substances and gelatinous substances. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 1 , further including a gusseted bottom panel portion. 
   
   
       7 . A multi-compartment flexible package, comprising:
 a first panel including an inner first panel surface;   a second panel including an inner second panel surface, with at least the first panel and second panel operatively connected to define a main package compartment; and   an internal compartment panel including a transverse bottom portion operatively joined to the inner surface of the first panel to define a secondary internal compartment generally distinct from the main package compartment, the transverse bottom portion including a plurality of spaced seal segments and a plurality of spaced unsealed openings to provide fluid communication between the secondary internal compartment and the main package compartment.   
   
   
       8 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , further including an access device to provide access into at least one of the secondary and main package compartments through an access opening. 
   
   
       9 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 8 , wherein the access device is a re-closeable access device. 
   
   
       10 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , further including a tear portion provided to facilitate access into at least one of the main and secondary compartments. 
   
   
       11 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , wherein the internal compartment panel includes at least one intermediate longitudinal seal portion operatively joined to the inner surface of the first panel such that the secondary compartment defines at least two distinct compartments. 
   
   
       12 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , wherein the secondary compartment is adapted to contain at least partially frozen contents. 
   
   
       13 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , wherein the secondary compartment is adapted to contain contents selected from a group consisting of: frozen substances, semi-frozen substances, solid substances and gelatinous substances. 
   
   
       14 . The multi-compartment flexible package of  claim 7 , further including a gusseted bottom panel portion. 
   
   
       15 . A multi-compartment package, comprising:
 a first outer panel including an inner first panel surface; and   a second outer panel including an inner second panel surface;   an internal compartment panel operatively provided between the first and second panels to define a main package compartment and a secondary internal compartment; and   an inter-compartment passageway portion including a plurality of land segments and a plurality of openings providing fluid communication between the secondary internal compartment and the main package compartment.   
   
   
       16 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of land segments are spaced seal segments defined by the joining of portions of a transverse bottom portion of the internal compartment panel to a portion of the inner first panel surface. 
   
   
       17 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 16 , wherein the transverse bottom portion of the internal compartment panel is joined to the inner first panel surface a distance above a bottom portion of the first outer panel. 
   
   
       18 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 15 , wherein the secondary internal compartment is adapted to contain at least partially frozen contents. 
   
   
       19 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 15 , further including a gusseted bottom panel portion. 
   
   
       20 . The multi-compartment package of  claim 15 , wherein the internal compartment panel includes at least one intermediate longitudinal seal portion operatively joined to the inner first panel surface.