Pouch package with gusset base

Abstract

A pouch product assembled from a sheet that is folded to close a first end of the pouch product and opposed first and second sheet panels of the sheet bond at first marginal portions to aligned marginal portions of gusset panels to define legs and bond together at second marginal portions to define a body with a cavity for holding fluid, and a second end closes by bonding opposing second end marginal portions. A tear-open fold line and slit provide an opening for dispensing fluidal contents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pouch package for a fluidal product, comprising:
 a sheet with opposed first and second sheet panels and an intermediate gusset therebetween having first and second gusset panels that each extend from an edge of a respective one of the first and second sheet panels, folded in a first direction on a medial line to form an interior edge and folded in an opposing second direction on respective second lines defined by edges between the respective gusset panel and the respective sheet panel to bring the opposed. first and second sheet panels together, thereby closing a first end of a pouch package;   the pouch package comprising first and second legs and a body portion,
 respective opposing first marginal portions of the respective sheet panel bonded to a respective marginal portion of the respective first or second gusset panel aligned therewith to define the opposing first and second legs of the pouch package, and 
 respective opposing second marginal portions of the first sheet panel bonded to respective opposing second marginal portions of the second sheet panel aligned therewith to define the body portion, 
 thereby dosing opposing sides of the pouch package and defining a cavity between the first and second sheet panels in the body portion and between the respective gusset panel and the respective sheet panel in the opposing legs; and 
   a second end closed by bonding the opposing first and second sheet panels along opposing second end marginal portions, the cavity receiving a fluidal material before sealing the second end of the pouch package.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for opening the pouch package. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 2 , wherein means for opening comprises a tear line defined in the second end by a plurality of microperf openings. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 2 , wherein means for opening comprises:
 a fold line extending through the second end; and   a slit in the second end that intersects the fold line,   whereby the second end being folded on the fold line exposes a cut edge for tearing open the pouch package.   
     
     
         5 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second end defines a seal bonded portion and an elongated neck open to the cavity, whereby opening the pouch package across the neck defines a pathway for flow of the fluidal material from the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising means for opening the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 6 , wherein means for opening comprises a tear line defined in the second end by a plurality of microperf openings. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 6 , wherein means for opening comprises:
 a fold line extending through the second end; and   a slit in the second end that intersects the fold line,   whereby the second end being folded on the fold line exposes a cut edge for tearing open the pouch package.   
     
     
         9 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter portion of the bonded opposing marginal portions of the gusset panels and sheet panels define in each leg a pair of opposing grips, whereby the package may be held and squeezed on the grip without applying pressure to the fluid within the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the second end extends as a field lateral of the neck. 
     
     
         11 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 10  wherein the field defines a slit for tearing open the pouch package. 
     
     
         12 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a fold line within at least the field and the slit intersects the fold line, whereby the second end being folded on the fold line exposes a cut edge for tearing open the pouch package. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the slit comprises a first slit that defines a first angle relative to the fold line and a second slit mirroring the first slit, 
     
     
         14 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first slit is on a first side of the fold line and the second slit is on a second side of the fold line. 
     
     
         15 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bonded marginal portions in the legs and the body define interior edges that are arcuate. 
     
     
         16 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the interior edges of the marginal portion in the legs have a first radius and the interior edges of the marginal portions of the body have a second radius, the second radius less than the first radius. 
     
     
         17 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 15 , wherein exterior edges of the marginal portions in the legs have a first radius and the exterior edges of the marginal portions in the body have a second radius, the second radius less than the first radius. 
     
     
         18 . The pouch package as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is one of a plurality of sheets die cut from an elongated film of material.