Flexible pouch with an internal zipper

Abstract

A flexible pouch has an internal zipper adding support to the pouch and allowing the contents of the pouch to be portioned. Flexible pouches having a product disposed therein are also disclosed, along with kits containing same. In addition, methods of producing the flexible pouches and packaged products are also disclosed.

1 . A flexible pouch in which a product may be packaged, the flexible pouch comprising:
 a main pouch body having first and second opposing face members joined to one another, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides, the distance from the top to the bottom defining a face length; and   an internal zipper on inner surfaces of the first and second opposing face members and rejoinably connecting the first and second opposing face members, the internal zipper extending from the first side to the second side within a central portion of each opposing face member inner surface, wherein the central portion is defined as the area from the first side to the second side between 20% and 80% of the face length.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the internal zipper is positioned to divide the flexible pouch into two substantially equal volumes. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible pouch of  claim 2 , comprising two adjacent internal zippers located to divide the flexible pouch into two substantially equal volumes. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , comprising two or more internal zippers located to divide the flexible pouch into three or more substantially equal volumes. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the internal zipper comprises a male track and a female track engageable therewith, the male track on the inner surface of one of the first and second opposing face members and the female track on the inner surface of the other of the first and second opposing face members. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the internal zipper comprises a zipper tape more rigid than the first and second opposing face members and outwardly curved to bias the first and second opposing face members away from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , further defined as an upstanding, squeezable flexible pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , wherein opposing side edges of the first and second face members are connected to one another and peripherally sealed. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible pouch of  claim 8 , further comprising a top closure which, in an open configuration, provides an opening at the top of the flexible pouch through which contents can be disposed therein and/or dispensed therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap releasably attached to an opening in the top of the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a flexible pouch, the flexible pouch having a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing face members each having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the face members define a receiving space that extends substantially between the top and the bottom of the flexible pouch, the distance between the top and the bottom defining a face length, and wherein the top has an opening extending therethrough that provides access to the receiving space, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching an internal zipper on inner surfaces of the first and second opposing face members;   peripherally sealing opposing side edges of the first face member and the second face member to one another to form sidewalls of the flexible pouch, wherein a receiving space is formed therein;   attaching a gusset to lower edges of the first and second face members substantially along the widths thereof; and   wherein the internal zipper rejoinably connects the first and second opposing face members and extends from the first side to the second side within a central portion of each opposing face member inner surface, wherein the central portion is defined as the area from the first side to the second side between 20% and 80% of the face length.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible pouch is further defined as an upstanding, squeezable flexible pouch. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the top provides an opening in the flexible pouch through which contents can be disposed therein and/or dispensed therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of disposing a predetermined quantity of a product within the flexible pouch and releasably sealing the product therewithin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of baby food, juice, fruit and/or vegetable purees, beverages, beverage concentrate and/or drink mixes, other liquid products, condiments, granulated products, processed meat and/or poultry, pet food, pet treats, pet supplies, refrigerated/frozen foods, dairy products, dairy products, candy and confectionary items, baking supplies, puddings, creams, vegetables, fruit, vegetable and/or fruit-based products, health food products, baked goods, dried fruits and/or nuts, snack foods, breakfast foods, cleaning and other household supplies, health and beauty products, pharmaceutical products, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of releasably attaching a top closure to the opening in the top of the flexible pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of attaching a zipper that allows the opening in the top of the flexible pouch to be resealed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible pouch is selected from the group consisting of any one of those claimed in  claim 1  to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         19 . A packaged product, comprising:
 a flexible pouch; and   a predetermined quantity of a product disposed and sealed within the flexible pouch wherein the flexible pouch is selected from the group consisting of any one of those claimed in  claim 1  to  claim 10 .   
     
     
         20 . The packaged product of  claim 19 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of baby food, juice, fruit and/or vegetable purees, beverages, beverage concentrate and/or drink mixes, other liquid products, condiments, granulated products, processed meat and/or poultry, pet food, pet treats, pet supplies, refrigerated/frozen foods, dairy products, candy and confectionary items, baking supplies, puddings, creams, vegetables, fruit, vegetable and/or fruit-based products, health food products, baked goods, dried fruits and/or nuts, snack foods, breakfast foods, cleaning and other household supplies, health and beauty products, pharmaceutical products, and combinations thereof.