CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/893,365 filed August 29, 2019.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present application relates to packaging and, more particularly, to containers with passageways for dispensing contents of the containers. As a more specific example, the present application relates to flexible packaging and, more particularly, to stand-up flexible pouches having spouts that are opened by tearing or cutting.

[0003] Stand-up flexible pouches are well known. An early version of such pouches is disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 3,380,646 issued to Leon and Louis Doyen (e.g. of an early Doyen-style pouch). The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 3,380,646 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Some conventional stand-up flexible pouches are equipped with dispensing fitments. A typical dispensing fitment includes a neck or spout having an outer end that may be repeatedly opened and closed by a manually-operated closure (e.g., a cap). Such dispensing fitments can detrimentally increase the cost of the pouches and may be prone to failure. Also, the main body of the flexible pouch and the fitment may be constructed of dissimilar materials, which may complicate recycling efforts.

[0005] Some conventional stand-up flexible pouches that are tom or cut to open include manually-operated mechanical sealing mechanisms (e.g., press-to-close zippers or slider zippers) for closing the pouch after it is opened. Such manually-operated mechanical sealing mechanisms can detrimentally increase the cost of the pouches and may be prone to failure. [0006] Some conventional stand-up flexible pouches that are tom or cut to open do not include a manually-operated mechanical sealing mechanism for closing the pouch after it is opened. Such a pouch may be impractical if it contains more product than is to be dispensed when the pouch is initially opened, because the product remaining in the open pouch is prone to being accidently spilled. SUMMARY

[0007] An aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a discharge channel or passageway in communication with an interior of a container (e.g., a stand-up, flexible pouch), wherein the structure (e.g., geometry) of at least the discharge passageway and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid to be dispensed through the discharge passageway can be cooperatively configured / selected so that while the entire discharge passageway is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the container (e.g., as a result of the container being suitably inverted, inclined, or extending horizontally), the liquid contents will not flow (e.g., substantially will not flow) outwardly through the discharge passageway unless the pressure of the liquid contents within the container is increased to above a predetermined amount. For example, the discharge channel or passageway can be configured to close because of a harmonic design between the liquid (density and/or viscosity) and the geometry of the discharge passageway.

[0008] A more specific aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a package including a flexible pouch having at least one closure, at least one breachable portion, a first interior chamber, a first auto-obstructing discharge passageway positioned between the first chamber the at least one closure so that the at least one closure obstructs the first discharge passageway, a second interior chamber, and a second auto-obstructing discharge passageway positioned between the second chamber and the at least one closure so that the at least one closure obstructs the second discharge passageway, wherein the at least one breachable portion can be configured to be breached to at least partially separate the at least one closure and expose one or more of an outer end of the first discharge passageway and an outer end of the second discharge passageway; dispensable liquid in the first interior chamber; and dispensable liquid in the second interior chamber; wherein the pouch and the liquid in the first interior chamber can be cooperatively configured so that, when the outer end of the first discharge passageway is exposed, the pouch is inverted, and there is at least some of the liquid in the first interior chamber, squeezing the pouch to increase pressure in the first interior chamber causes the liquid in the first interior chamber to flow outwardly through the first discharge passageway, and at least reducing the squeezing of the pouch to reduce the pressure in the first interior chamber ceases the outward flow of the liquid through the first discharge passageway. Similarly, the pouch and the liquid in the second interior chamber can be cooperatively configured so that, when the outer end of the second discharge passageway is exposed, the pouch is inverted, and there is at least some of the liquid in the second interior chamber, squeezing the pouch to increase pressure in the second interior chamber causes the liquid in the second interior chamber to flow outwardly through the second discharge passageway, and at least reducing the squeezing of the pouch to reduce the pressure in the second interior chamber ceases the outward flow of the liquid through the first discharge passageway.

[0009] The foregoing summary provides a few brief examples and is not exhaustive, and the present invention is not limited to the foregoing examples. The foregoing examples, as well as other examples, are further explained in the following detailed description with reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings may be schematic and may not be drawn to scale. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples depicted in the drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic front-elevation view of a stand-up pouch in its upright configuration, wherein an interior chamber and a discharge channel or passageway are schematically depicted with dashed lines, and seams are schematically depicted by stippling, in accordance with a first embodiment of this disclosure. As an example, the discharge passageway can be characterized as being an automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) discharge passageway, wherein the structure of the discharge passageway and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of liquid in the pouch interior chamber (“liquid contents”) can be cooperatively configured / selected in a predetermined manner so that the liquid contents flows outwardly through the open discharge passageway only (e.g., substantially only) when the pressure of the liquid contents exceeds a predetermined amount while the entire discharge passageway is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber. [0012] Fig. 2 is a schematic, cut-away, front-elevation view of a right-upper portion of the pouch of Fig. 1 with its front panel removed in order to more clearly depict seams (e.g., heat seals) of the pouch, wherein the heat seals are schematically represented by stippling.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a bottom pictorial view of the pouch of Fig. 1 wherein the interior chamber is substantially filled with a dispensable liquid that is hidden from view within the interior chamber, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a schematic, substantially isolated, front-elevation view of the discharge passageway of Fig. 1 in a flat, unopened configuration.

[0015] Fig. 5 is an isolated pictorial view of the discharge passageway of Fig. 1 in an expanded, open configuration for discharging liquid contents from the interior chamber of the pouch.

[0016] Fig. 6 is an isolated pictorial view of a discharge passageway in an open configuration in accordance with a second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a schematic, substantially isolated, front-elevation view of the discharge passageway of Fig. 6 in its flat, unopened configuration.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a schematic, substantially isolated view of a discharge passageway in its flat, unopened configuration, in accordance with a third embodiment of this disclosure.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a schematic, substantially isolated view of a discharge passageway in its flat, unopened configuration, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of this disclosure. [0020] Fig. 10 is a schematic, substantially isolated view of a discharge passageway in its flat, unopened configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of this disclosure. [0021] Each of Figs. 11-14 is a schematic, front-elevation view of a stand-up pouch including an interior chamber and a discharge channel or passageway, wherein seams are schematically depicted by stippling, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. As an example, the discharge passageways can be characterized as being automatically- obstructing (e.g., self-closing) discharge passageways, wherein the structure of the discharge passageway and the rheological properties of the liquid in the pouch interior chamber can be cooperatively configured / selected in a predetermined manner so that the liquid contents flows outwardly through the open discharge passageway only (e.g., substantially only) when the pressure of the liquid contents exceeds a predetermined amount while the entire discharge passageway is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber.

[0022] Fig. 15 is a schematic, front-elevation view of a stand-up pouch including interior chambers and discharge channels or passageways, wherein seams are schematically depicted by stippling, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. As an example, each of the discharge passageways can be characterized as being an automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) discharge passageway, wherein the structure of the discharge passageway and the rheological properties of the liquid in the respective pouch interior chamber can be cooperatively configured / selected in a predetermined manner so that the respective liquid contents flows outwardly through the open discharge passageway only (e.g., substantially only) when the pressure of the respective liquid contents exceeds a predetermined amount while the entire discharge passageway is below the upper surface of the respective liquid contents within the respective pouch interior chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Examples of embodiments are disclosed in the following. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. For example, features disclosed as part of one embodiment or example can be used in the context of another embodiment or example to yield a further embodiment or example. As another example of the breadth of this disclosure, it is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more of the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and/or the like, to qualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of the Detailed Description section of disclosure, as discussed in greater detail below.

[0024] Fig. 1 depicts a closed flexible container or package 10 having a body with an interior chamber 11 configured to contain liquid, a spout 12 for use in dispensing the liquid from the interior chamber, and a closure 14 configured for being at least partially removed to expose an outer end of a discharge channel or passageway 16 extending through the spout, in accordance with a first example or embodiment of this disclosure. As an example, the discharge passageway 16 can be characterized as being an automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) discharge passageway, wherein the structure of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the dispensable liquid in the interior chamber 11 (“liquid contents”) can be cooperatively configured / selected in a predetermined manner so that, after the closure 14 is removed from the spout 12 (or sufficiently at least partially removed), the liquid contents flows outwardly through the discharge passageway 16 only (e.g., substantially only) when the pressure of the liquid contents exceeds a predetermined amount, as will be discussed in greater detail below. For example, the discharge channel or passageway 16 can be configured to close because of a harmonic design between the liquid (density and/or viscosity) and the geometry of the discharge channel or passageway. The flexible container or pouch 10 and liquid in the interior chamber 11 can be cooperatively configured so that, when the outer end of the discharge passageway 16 is exposed, the pouch is inverted, and the interior chamber contains at least some of the liquid, squeezing the pouch to increase pressure in the interior chamber causes the liquid to flow outwardly through the discharge passageway, and at least reducing the squeezing of the pouch to reduce the pressure in the interior chamber ceases the outward flow of the liquid through the discharge passageway.

[0025] In the example depicted Fig. 1, the interior chamber 11 and discharge channel or passageway 16 may be hidden from view and are schematically depicted by dashed lines. In the example depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the closure 14 is configured for being at least partially cut and/or torn away from the spout 12 in order to expose an outer end of the discharge passageway 16. The spout 12, closure 14, and associated features depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 are non-limiting examples of numerous differently configured features that may be included for initially defining and sealing closed the discharge passageway 16, and thereafter being operated to at least partially open the outer end of the discharge passageway. For example, the closure 14 may be omitted, configured differently, and/or replaced with another type of closure mechanism.

[0026] The spout 12 can be part of a spout assembly 18. In the first embodiment, except for the spout assembly 18 and closure 14, the body of the package 10 is configured as a container, for example a container in the form of a flexible, stand-up Doyen-style pouch, so that the package may be generally referred to as a container, pouch, or stand-up pouch 10. The first embodiment pouch 10 includes a base portion 20 (see, e.g., Fig. 3) configured (e.g., with conventional pleats and conventional seams) to provide stand-up characteristics of the pouch. In Fig. 1, seams of the base 20 and other seams 26, 28, 30 are schematically identified by stippling.

[0027] The first embodiment pouch 10 includes a front panel 22 extending upwardly from the front edge of the base 20, a rear panel 24 extending upwardly from the rear edge of the base, and top and side seams 26, 28, 30 connecting respective margins of the front and rear panels to one another. Alternatively, the package 10 can be in the form of containers or pouches that are not of the Doyen style, for example pillow pouches, stick pouches, and/or any other suitable containers. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the spout 12, closure 14, discharge passageway 16, and spout assembly 18 can be configured differently than depicted in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0028] As an example, it is believed that the pouch 10 may be formed in a suitably configured pouch-making machine (not shown) from a precursor sheet (not shown) that is part of a laminated and/or coated web having one or more layers (e.g., polymeric film, metallic layer, and/or paper) supporting a thermoplastic heat-salable layer. At least a majority of the precursor sheet can be in the form of one or more polymeric films and/or coatings. It is believed that a suitable precursor sheet may be a conventional precursor sheet of the type used to make a conventional stand-up Doyen-style pouch. In the first embodiment, the precursor sheet can be folded onto itself and pleated (e.g., pleated in the base 20) so that respective portions of the heat-sealable layer are in opposing face-to-face contact with one another, and heat and pressure can be applied to those respective portions to form the seams (e.g., heat seals) of the pouch 10, including the seams or seals of the closure 14 and spout assembly 18. It is believed that in alternative embodiments the heat-sealable layer may be omitted, and the seams or seals may be formed using a cold-seal adhesive, or in any other suitable manner. For example, it is believed that the pouch 10 may be formed from a precursor sheet that is not coated and/or not laminated.

[0029] In one aspect of this disclosure, the entire pouch 10 (e.g., including the spout 12, closure 14, and discharge passageway 16), can be manufactured from a single sheet of material in a manner that seeks to reduce the amount of any dissimilar materials incorporated into the pouch. As compared, for example, to a conventional pouch that is formed onto or otherwise includes a previously separately formed dispensing fitment, it is believed that the pouch 10 can provide benefits associated with reducing overall energy usage during manufacturing, reducing usage of dissimilar materials, and/or simplified recycling.

[0030] In Fig. 2, the front panel 22 (Fig. 1) is omitted and the heat-sealed areas (e.g., seams) of the first embodiment are schematically represented by stippling. The first embodiment spout assembly 18 includes an oblique comer seam 32. The spout comer seam 32 connects respective margins of the front and rear panels 22, 24 and extends from an end of the pouch top seam 26 to an end of the pouch right side 30 seam. The spout comer seam 32 is interrupted by an inner end portion of the discharge passageway 16. Accordingly, the inner end portion of the discharge passageway 16 is partially defined by adjacent, spaced apart portions of the spout comer seam 32, and the inner end of the discharge passageway is open to the pouch interior chamber 11. The inner end portion of the first embodiment discharge passageway 16 is further defined by respective portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 that have not been sealed to one another, are in opposing face-to-face relation with one another, and are positioned between the adjacent, spaced apart portions of the spout comer seam 32.

[0031] Along the length of the first embodiment discharge passageway 16, intermediate and outer end portions of the discharge passageway are partially defined by oblique upper and lower seams 34, 36 of the spout assembly 18. The oblique upper and lower seams 34, 36 connect respective portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24. The intermediate and outer end portions of the first embodiment discharge passageway 16 are further defined by respective portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 that have not been sealed to one another, are in opposing face-to-face relation with one another, and positioned between the adjacent, spaced apart oblique upper and lower seams 34, 36.

[0032] In the non-limiting example depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the first embodiment closure 14 optionally includes a neck 40 extending inwardly from a tab 42 to the outer end of the spout 12. Whereas the tab 42 is depicted as being triangular, the tab can define any other suitable shape and/or may be omitted. The boundary between the outer end of the spout 12 and the inner end of the optional closure neck 40 can be at least partially defined by one or more features (e.g., indications, disruptions, and/or the like) for facilitating tearing, cutting, and/or otherwise suitably exposing the outer end of the discharge passageway 16. In the non limiting example depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, a breachable portion of the spout assembly 18 includes features for facilitating cutting and/or tearing (e.g., breaching). The spout assembly’s breachable portion can include one or more notches 44 and/or at least one line 46 (e.g., line(s) identifying where a cut should be made and/or line(s) of disruption or weakening for facilitating tearing there-along) in the front and/or rear panels 22, 24. The optionally V-shaped notches 44 can extend inwardly from opposite sides of the spout 12, and they can also extend through the front and rear panels 22, 24. The lines 46 (e.g., scored tear lines) can extend between (e.g., from one to the other of) inner ends of the notches 44.

[0033] Optionally, the outer end of the discharge passageway 16 can be open to an otherwise closed internal cavity 50 of the closure 14. In the first embodiment, the closure cavity 50 is partially defined between respective portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 that have not been sealed to one another, and are in opposing face-to-face relation with one another. The closure cavity 50 can be further defined by, and closed by, one or more associated seams 52 and/or heat seals of 54 the closure 14. As will be discussed in greater detail below, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the outer end of the discharge passageway 16 to be exposed in any other suitable manner.

[0034] In an example of a method of manufacturing the pouch 10, the top seam 26 may not be formed until after the other heat seals (e.g., seams) of the pouch are formed and the pouch interior chamber 11 has been at least partially filled with liquid contents by way of an opening that is later closed by forming the top seam. After the seams of the spout 12 are formed (e.g., the oblique corner seam 32 and oblique upper and lower seams 34, 36) and at least before the pouch interior chamber 11 has been filled with liquid contents, it is believed that there may be opposing face-to-face contact between the unsealed portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 that define the discharge passageway 16. That is, at least initially the first embodiment discharge passageway 16 can be in a flat, unopened configuration in which there may be opposing face-to-face contact between the unsealed portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 that define the discharge passageway 16. Fig. 4 is a schematic isolated view of the discharge passageway 16 in its flat, unopened configuration, wherein a length and crosswise dimension or width are designated by “L” and “W”, respectively, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0035] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, after the pouch interior chamber 11 has been at least partially filled with liquid contents and the top seam 26 is formed to fully close the pouch interior chamber, the pouch 10 can be used to dispense the liquid contents. In an example of a method of use for the first embodiment, the outer end of the discharge passageway 16 is exposed by tearing the closure 14 away from the spout 12, for example by manually grasping the tab 42 and tearing along the notches 44 and line 46. At least partially reiterating from above, the structure (e.g., geometry) of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 can be cooperatively configured / selected so that, after removal of the closure 14 and while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 (e.g., as a result of the pouch being suitably inverted, inclined, or extending horizontally), the liquid contents will not flow (e.g., substantially will not flow) outwardly through the discharge passageway 16 unless the pouch 10 is squeezed (e.g., manually squeezed) to increase the pressure of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 to above a predetermined amount. That is, the structure of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 can be cooperatively configured / selected in a predetermined manner so that, while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11, any flow of the liquid contents outwardly from the pouch interior chamber through the discharge passageway is automatically obstructed (e.g., prevented or at least substantially prevented) in response to the pressure of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber being below the predetermined amount of pressure.

[0036] The structure of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 can be cooperatively configured / selected in the predetermined manner so that, while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11, the discharge passageway expands to open and the liquid contents flows outwardly from the pouch interior chamber through the open (e.g., expanded) discharge passageway in response to the pressure of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber being at or above the predetermined amount of pressure. For example, Fig. 5 is an isolated pictorial view of the discharge passageway 16 in an expanded, open configuration.

In response to the pressure of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 returning to below the predetermined amount of pressure, for example due to the pouch 10 no longer being squeezed, the discharge passageway can function as an automatically- obstructing (e.g., self-closing) discharge passageway to restrict or more specifically stop (e.g., substantially stop) the flow of the liquid contents outwardly from the pouch interior chamber through the discharge passageway. As an example for one possible configuration, when the pressure is reduced, it is believed that there may be relative movement between at least some of the spaced-apart portions of the front and rear panels 22, 24 depicted in Fig. 5, so that they become closer to one another and optionally become engaged against one another.

[0037] Following are examples of the structure of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 being cooperatively configured / selected in the predetermined manner to provide the automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) feature of the discharge passageway. For a predetermined liquid detergent within the pouch interior chamber 11 at a temperature of 27°C, having a viscosity of 1.18 Pascals second, and a density of 1.04 g/ml, and the discharge passageway 16 (see, e.g., Fig. 5) having a length of 20 millimeters, when the predetermined liquid detergent is subject to an internal gauge pressure of 16,425 Pascals (e.g., a manual squeeze of the pouch 10), for the below-indicated cross-sectional areas of the discharge passageway (wherein the cross-sectional areas are perpendicular to the length of the discharge passageway) it is believed that the below-indicated flowrates through the discharge passageway will be achieved while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11 :

[0038] In the examples presented above for the predetermined liquid detergent, when the predetermined liquid detergent is subsequently subjected to an internal gauge pressure of 400 Pascals (e.g., the pouch 10 no longer being squeezed) or less, for each of the cross-sectional areas of 13 mm ² , 17 mm ² , and 21 mm ² it is believed that the flow through the discharge passageway will be automatically ceased (e.g., substantially ceased) in response to the automatically-obstructing interaction between the structure (e.g., geometry) of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the predetermined liquid detergent while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11. In contrast, it is believed that when the predetermined liquid detergent is subsequently subject to an internal pressure of 400 Pascals (e.g., the pouch 10 no longer being squeezed), for cross-sectional areas greater than 21 mm ² the flow through the discharge passageway will not be automatically ceased in response to interaction between the structure of the discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties of the predetermined liquid detergent while the entire discharge passageway 16 is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch interior chamber 11.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the liquid contents are in liquid form at typical room temperature (e.g., 20 to 22 °C) or at a wider range of temperatures (e.g., 3 to 35 °C) and at standard atmospheric pressure (i.e., 101,325 Pa) and higher pressure associated with squeezing the body of the pouch 10 to cause the liquid contents to flow outwardly through the discharge passageway 16. The liquid contents can be, for example, liquid cleaning agents (e.g., soaps and/or detergents), fabric softeners, and/or other suitable liquids that are in liquid form at the above-discussed conditions.

[0040] Additional embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., additional embodiments depicted in the drawings) can be configured like and function like the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Fig. 6 is an isolated pictorial view of a venturi-shaped discharge passageway 16 of a second embodiment in its expanded, open configuration in response to the pressure of the liquid contents within the associated pouch interior chamber 11 being at or above the predetermined amount of pressure. The second embodiment discharge passageway 16 is tapered to include two frustoconical portions. Fig. 7 is a schematic isolated view of the second embodiment discharge passageway 16 in its flat, unopened configuration, wherein a length, major interior crosswise dimension or width, and minor interior crosswise dimension or width (e.g., restriction) are designated by “L”, “W”, and “Wi”, respectively. It is believed that the structure of the second embodiment discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the associated pouch interior chamber 11 can be cooperatively configured / selected in the predetermined manner to provide the automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) feature of the discharge passageway. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the discharge passageway 16 can include a greater or lesser number of restrictions and frustoconical portions. For example, one of the frustoconical portions (e.g., frustoconical restrictions) can be omitted so that the discharge passageway includes a single frustoconical portion.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a schematic isolated view of a restricted discharge passageway 16 of a third embodiment in its flat, unopened configuration. The third embodiment discharge passageway 16 includes two restrictions. In Fig. 8, an overall length, partial lengths, major interior crosswise dimension or width, and minor interior crosswise dimensions or widths (e.g., restrictions) are designated by “L”, “Li”, “L2”, “L3”, “W”, and “Wi”, respectively. It is believed that the structure of the third embodiment discharge passageway 16 and the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the associated pouch interior chamber 11 being cooperatively configured / selected in the predetermined manner to provide the automatically-obstructing (e.g., self-closing) feature of the discharge passageway. Referring to Fig. 8, the discharge passageway 16 can include a greater or lesser number of restrictions. For example, one of the restrictions can be omitted so that the discharge passageway includes a single restriction.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a schematic isolated view of curved discharge passageway 16 of a fourth embodiment in its flat, unopened configuration. The discharge passageway 16 can have a greater or lesser number of curves and/or be in the form of, or include, one or more labyrinths. In the example depicted in Fig. 9, the discharge passageway 16 defines curves that extends along the length of the discharge passageway and have centers of curvature positioned outside of the discharge passageway. In Fig. 9, a representative one of the centers of curvatures is schematically designated by numeral 58.

[ 0043 ] The discharge passageways 16 of the second through third embodiments are examples of implementations for creating at least one restriction in the discharge passageways, for example in an effort to achieve higher flows while still achieving obstruction or closure of the discharge passageway when pressure in the pouch interior chamber 11 is reduced. The differently configured (e.g., shaped) discharge passageways 16 of the second through fourth embodiments, and additional differently configured discharge passageways, can be provided by, or at least partially provided by, adjusting the configurations (e.g., geometry) of one or more of the seals or seams 32, 34, 36 (see, e.g., Fig. 2) and/or including one or more different seals or seams. As best understood with reference to Fig. 10, one or more intermediate seals 60 between the front and rear panels 22, 24 can be positioned between, and spaced apart from each of, the seams 34, 36 for increasing the restriction to flow through any of the discharge passageways 16. Whereas the example of the intermediate seal 60 depicted in Fig. 10 is dot-shaped, it is noted that a variety of differently configured seals or seams 32, 34, 36, 60, spouts 12, spout assemblies 18, discharge passageways 16, etc. that are in addition to those depicted in the drawings are within the scope of this disclosure. In the example depicted in Fig. 10, the discharge passageway 16 is at least partially defined by first and second seals 34, 36 (elongate seals) between the front and rear panels 22, 24; and at least one third seal 60 between the panels. The third seal 60 may be referred to as an intermediate seal that is spaced apart from each of, and optionally shorter than each of, the first and second seals 34, 36. A

[0044] Figs. 11-14 schematically depict additional examples or embodiments of pouches 10 wherein the predetermined boundary between the spout 12 and the closure portion 40 is identified by one or more features (e.g., one or more printed lines 70 on the pouches) for being cut along (e.g., with scissors, or the like) to expose the outer end of the discharge passageway 16. Adjacent or proximate to the printed line(s) 70, or in any other suitable location, cutting instructions or indications 72 can be printed on the pouch 10. Examples of such cutting instructions or indications 72 can include the text “cut here”, a depiction of scissors 72, and/or any other suitable instructions or indications. The lines 70 can identify a breachable portion of the pouch 20 for directing cutting of the breachable portion by a user. Additionally or alternatively, the lines 70 can identify and/or define a breachable portion by being in the form of lines of disruption or weakening for facilitating tearing there-along. [0045] Fig. 15 schematically depicts an additional example or embodiment of a pouch 10 including at least one upright intermediate seal or seam 80 extending from the base 20 to the top of the pouch so that the pouch includes multiple (e.g., two) interior chambers 11 and multiple (e.g., two) discharge passageways 16. The pouch 10 can include two or more of (e.g., any suitable number of) the chambers 11 and passageways 16. [0046] In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 15, the intermediate seam 80 at least partially defines each of the chambers 11 and each of the discharge passageways 16 so that, prior to breaching (e.g., a user cutting) the boundary 70 between the spout 12 and the closure portion 40, the chambers 11 are separated from one another, the discharge passageways 16 are separated from one another, and the contents of the chambers 11 do not mix with one another. More generally, the at least one intermediate seam 80 can extend from proximate or adjacent the base 20 to proximate or adjacent the top of the pouch 10, or the chambers 11 and discharge passageways 16 can be respectively separated from one another in any other suitable manner.

[0047] In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 15, the outer ends of the discharge passageways 16 are proximate or adjacent to one another and extend convergently toward one another in the spout 12. As a result, after breaching (e.g., a user cutting) the boundary 70 between the spout 12 and the closure portion 40, at least some mixing can occur between the liquid contents respectively being discharged from the discharge passageways 16. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 15, the discharge passageways 16 can have the same or different configurations (e.g., geometry) and/or the liquids in the chambers 11 can have the same or different rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) so that different ratios (e.g., mixing ratios) of the liquid contents can be discharged from the discharge passageways 16. The discharge passageways 16 of the pouch of Fig. 15 can be in the form of any of the above-described discharge passageways and/or in any other suitable configuration.

[0048] Alternatively, the outer ends of the discharge passageways 16 can be more widely spaced apart from one another (e.g., by way of the portion of the intermediate seam 80 between the discharge passageways being wider than shown in Fig. 15), the outer ends of the discharge passageways can extend less or not convergently from one another, and/or the outer ends of the discharge passageways can extend divergently from one another such that less or no mixing occurs between the liquid contents respectively discharged from the discharge passageways 16 and/or optionally one of the discharge passageways can be opened without opening the other of the discharge passageways.

[0049] An aspect of this disclosure is the provision of a pouch 10 having at least one discharge passageway 16 tuned (e.g., having structure (e.g., geometry) configured in a predetermined manner) based upon the rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents to be dispensed through the discharge passageway so that while the entire discharge passageway is below the upper surface of the liquid contents within the pouch (e.g., as a result of the pouch being suitably inverted, inclined, or extending horizontally) the liquid contents will not flow (e.g., substantially will not flow) outwardly through the discharge passageway unless the pressure of the liquid contents within the pouch is increased (e.g., by way of manually squeezing the pouch 10) to above a predetermined amount. For example, the discharge passageways 16 can be respectively tuned or configured for dispensing laundry liquids (e.g., liquid cleaners (e.g., liquid laundry detergent), liquid fabric softeners (e.g., liquid laundry fabric softener), liquid bleaches (e.g., liquid laundry bleach)), liquid oils, liquid lubricants, liquid greases, liquid food (e.g., ketchup, honey, etc.) and/or any other suitable liquids so that the liquid will not flow (e.g., substantially will not flow) outwardly through the discharge passageway unless the pressure of the predetermined liquid contents within the pouch is increased (e.g., by way of manually squeezing the pouch) to above a predetermined amount.

[0050] The structure (geometry) of the discharge passageways 16 and/or rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents within the chambers 11 can vary in a predetermined manner from pouch 10 to pouch. Similarly, in a single pouch 10 including multiple chambers 11 and multiple discharge passageways 16 (see, e.g., Fig. 15), the size of the chambers can vary from one another in a predetermined manner, the structure (geometry) of the discharge passageways can vary from one another in a predetermined manner, and/or rheological properties (e.g., density and/or viscosity) of the liquid contents of the chambers can vary from one another in a predetermined manner. Referring to Fig. 15, in the same pouch 10, differently configured discharge passageways 16 (e.g., having different widths) can be respectively associated with the chambers 11 of the pouch to provide different flows of the liquids (which may have different rheological properties) respectively contained by the chambers in a manner that seeks to provide exact dosage (e.g., mixtures of catalyzed substances and/or other liquids that may require different amounts of flow during mixing). [0051] Reiterating from above, it is within the scope of this disclosure for one or more of the terms “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and/or the like, to qualify each of the adjectives and adverbs of the foregoing disclosure, for the purpose of providing a broad disclosure. As an example, it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that, in different implementations of the features of this disclosure, reasonably different engineering tolerances, precision, and/or accuracy may be applicable and suitable for obtaining the desired result. Accordingly, it is believed that those of ordinary skill will readily understand usage herein of the terms such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and the like.

[0052] In the above description and/or figures, examples of embodiments have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.