Systems and methods for forming a multi-chamber pouch

Abstract

A method of forming a multi-chambered pouch includes filling a first liquid into a chamber of the pouch through an opening; forming a frangible seal above the first liquid to provide a first sub-chamber having the first liquid and an open second sub-chamber above the first sub-chamber; sealing the first liquid in the first sub-chamber; filling a second liquid into the second sub-chamber through the opening; forming a seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber; sealing the second liquid in the second sub-chamber; and forming a permanent seal that intersects the frangible seal to form a first retaining chamber, a second retaining chamber, a third retaining chamber, and a fourth retaining chamber, wherein the first retaining chamber and the second retaining chamber retain the first liquid, and wherein the third retaining chamber and the fourth retaining chamber retain the second liquid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a multi-chambered pouch, the method comprising:
 filling a first liquid into a chamber of the pouch through an opening;   forming a frangible seal above the first liquid to provide a first sub-chamber having the first liquid and an open second sub-chamber above the first sub-chamber;   sealing, by said forming the frangible seal, the first liquid in the first sub-chamber;   filling a second liquid into the second sub-chamber through the opening;   forming a seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber;   sealing, by said forming the seal over the second liquid, the second liquid in the second sub-chamber; and   forming a permanent seal that intersects the frangible seal to form a first retaining chamber, a second retaining chamber, a third retaining chamber, and a fourth retaining chamber, wherein the first retaining chamber and the second retaining chamber retain the first liquid, and wherein the third retaining chamber and the fourth retaining chamber retain the second liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inverting the pouch before said filling the first liquid so that the opening is formed through a bottom end of the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing one or more dispensing valves at an end of the pouch that is opposite from the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid is a different type of liquid than the second liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said forming the frangible seal comprises using an ultrasonic seal forming system to form the frangible seal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frangible seal is formed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, and wherein the permanent seal is formed between a top end and a bottom end of the pouch. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said forming the frangible seal occurs when the first liquid is within the pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said forming the seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber occurs when the first liquid and the second liquid are within the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said forming the permanent seal occurs when the first liquid and the second liquid are within the pouch. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said forming the seal or said forming the permanent seal comprises using an ultrasonic seal forming system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is non-frangible. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frangible seal is orthogonal to the permanent seal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first retaining chamber and the second retaining chamber has a first size and a first shape, and wherein each of the third retaining chamber and the fourth retaining chamber has a second size and a second shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first size and the first shape differ from the second size and the second shape, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a multi-chambered pouch, the method comprising:
 inverting the pouch to expose an opening formed through a bottom end of the pouch;   filling, after said inverting, a first liquid into a chamber of the pouch through an opening;   forming a frangible seal above the first liquid to provide a first sub-chamber having the first liquid and an open second sub-chamber above the first sub-chamber, wherein said forming the frangible seal comprises using an ultrasonic seal forming system to form the frangible seal, and wherein said forming the frangible seal occurs when the first liquid is within the pouch;   sealing, by said forming the frangible seal, the first liquid in the first sub-chamber;   filling a second liquid into the second sub-chamber through the opening;   forming a seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber, wherein said forming the seal over the second liquid within the second sub-chamber occurs when the first liquid and the second liquid are within the pouch, and said forming the seal comprises using the ultrasonic seal forming system;   sealing, by said forming the seal over the second liquid, the second liquid in the second sub-chamber; and   forming a permanent seal that intersects the frangible seal to form a first retaining chamber, a second retaining chamber, a third retaining chamber, and a fourth retaining chamber, wherein the first retaining chamber and the second retaining chamber retain the first liquid, wherein the third retaining chamber and the fourth retaining chamber retain the second liquid, said forming the permanent seal comprises using the ultrasonic seal forming system, and wherein said forming the permanent seal occurs when the first liquid and the second liquid are within the pouch.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising providing one or more dispensing valves at a top end of the pouch that is opposite from the bottom end. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first liquid is a different type of liquid than the second liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the frangible seal is formed between a first side and a second side of the pouch, and wherein the permanent seal is formed between a top end and a bottom end of the pouch. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the seal is non-frangible, and wherein the frangible seal is orthogonal to the permanent seal. 
     
     
         20 . A method of forming a multi-chambered pouch, the method comprising:
 forming a frangible seal above a first liquid in a chamber of the pouch to provide a first sub-chamber having the first liquid and an open second sub-chamber, wherein forming the frangible seal also seals the first liquid in the first sub-chamber;   forming a second seal within the second sub-chamber, wherein forming the second seal also seals the second sub-chamber; and   forming a third seal that intersects the frangible seal to form at least a first retaining chamber, a second retaining chamber, a third retaining chamber, and a fourth retaining chamber.