PRIORITY CLAIMS

[0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application 61/747,556, filed December 31, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many varieties of storage and packaging containers are known and used. Certain containers are more suitable for certain goods. Plastic bags, in particular, are a very convenient packaging format for many goods since they are inexpensive, easy to manufacture and fill, and take up little space once empty.

[0003] Some goods have more than one component, yet benefit from keeping the components separated until ready for use. For example, many food items have both solid and liquid components— salad and salad dressing, sandwiches and condiments, nachos and cheese, crackers and spread, chips and dip. If the liquid components contact solid component during storage, the solid components tend to become soggy or stale. Additionally, some components can be optional— desired by some customers but not by others. By keeping such components separate, the customer can chose whether to partake.

[0004] Several devices have been proposed for separation of components during storage, each with significant drawbacks. For example, some devices provide separate compartments outside of a main compartment. In such cases, once a user has emptied the contents of the separate container, the user must hold or dispose of the separate compartment, which may be messy. Other solutions require complicated processes and equipment for filling. Still others use rigid or semi rigid construction, which take up unnecessary space in trash receptacles and landfills after use. SUMMARY

[0005] These and other problems are solved by inventions taught herein, including a multiple-compartment container comprising two or more panels sealed together to form a container (e.g., a bag); a supplemental cavity (e.g. a pouch) adhered within the container to one of the panels; and a burst seal on the supplemental cavity configured to release contents of the supplemental cavity upon application of force from a user. The multiple-compartment container can be efficiently filled by first filling the supplemental containers, then affixing the supplemental containers to a panel of the main container, next joining the panel with others to form the main container, then filling and sealing the main container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The disclosed inventions will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container with multiple chambers.

[0008] Figure 2 is a section view of the container of Figure 1.

[0009] Figure 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment for a container.

[00010] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating one method for making and filling a container with multiple chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00011] Figure 1 illustrates a container 10 configured to hold multiple ingredients (not shown). Container 10 is preferably a bag made of polyethylene or other plastic. A main cavity 12, preferably comprises at least two side panels 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, side panels 14 are fused together to create main cavity 12. Side panels 14 can by fused by application of heat and pressure, or by many other known methods.

[00012] Container 10 preferably comprises a tear strip 16 defined near an upper edge 18 of side panels 14. Tear strip 16 is configured to provide an easy opening. Tear strip 16 can comprise perforations 22, or other features to facilitate opening of container 10. Container 10 preferably further comprises a resealing strip 24. Resealing strip 24 preferably comprises a zipper seal as commonly found on sandwich bags. Container 10 further comprises a handle 26 defined near a top edge of side panels 14. Handle 26 is positioned below tear strip 16 so that handle 26 can be used after container 10 is opened.

[00013] Located within main cavity 12 are supplemental cavities 28. Supplemental cavities 28 are configured to store additional ingredients and keep the additional ingredients physically separate from ingredients in main cavity 12. Supplemental cavities 28 comprise plastic pouches that are preferably adhered to one or more side panel 14. Alternatively, supplemental cavities 28 can be formed by separately sealing a portion of side panels 14 together.

[00014] Supplemental cavities 28 preferably comprise a burst seal 32, configured to release contents upon an application of pressure by a user. Supplemental cavities 28 and burst seal 32 are configured so that a user can release contents from outside of container 10 and while avoiding contact with any ingredients. Supplemental cavities 28 also preferably remain attached to side panel 14 after contents are released, so that supplemental cavities 28 do not become mixed with ingredients in main cavity 12. Alternatively, supplemental cavities 28 can comprise other release mechanisms (not shown) such as a tear strip or zipper.

[00015] Figure 2 shows a section view of container 10. This view illustrates one possible placement of supplemental cavities 28 within container 10. Alternatively, additional supplemental cavities 28 (not shown) can be placed in container 10.

[00016] Figure 3 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a container 10'. Container 10' comprises a pleated bottom 304 between side panels 14. In addition, many other container and bag types are known and can be used with aspects of the disclosed inventions.

[00017] Figure 4 is a flow-chart illustrating a method of filling container 10 with ingredients. In step 402, supplemental cavities, which are connected in a chain, are filled on a filling line. In step 404, supplemental cavities 28 are sealed and separated into groups to be inserted into a container 10. Each group preferably comprises the same number of supplemental cavities 28 as the number of ingredients placed in supplemental cavities 28.

[00018] Next, in step 406, supplemental cavities 28 are affixed to side panel 14, preferably using a food-grade adhesive. Side panel 14 has preferably been pre-printed with any necessary or desired labeling.

[00019] In step 408, side panel 14 is bonded with another side panel 14 to form container 10. In step 410, ingredients are placed in container 10. Next, in step 412, container 10 is closed and sealed.

[00020] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.