The Coca-cola Company

Abigail L Rodgers

Mark W Holmes

James W Smith

Thomas E Riley, Jr

Robert G Larkin

A flexible pouch includes a flexible compartment with a bottom. A rim is formed around the bottom of the compartment and is spaced from and extends outwardly from this compartment bottom. At least three coplanar feet are provided on the rim for stabilizing the pouch when the pouch is resting on the rim. These coplanar feet can be generally flush with the rim when the pouch is in a flat, empty position. However, when the compartment of the pouch is filled, the coplanar feet will be formed as the lowermost portions of the rim. The pouch will rest on these coplanar feet when on a support to be stably held in position. This pouch design will avoid wobbling or tipping over of the pouch and therefore minimize or eliminate product spillage. Also, a method for making this pouch includes the steps of forming the pouch with the compartment, providing a rim around the bottom of the compartment, and spacing the rim from the bottom of the compartment. A portion of this rim is then removed at the outer edge to form the plurality of coplanar feet. A relatively wide-mouth opening is also provided on the pouch to enable easy insertion of a straw while minimizing or eliminating product spillage. This opening is formed from a frangible element or membrane. Also, the pouch provides for avoiding pressurization of the compartment during opening and provides a way for readily identifying the location of the opening to the pouch.

Stable, flexible, easy open pouch

A flexible pouch is formed from a first and second sheet which are in sealing engaged along their side edges. Two gussets are provided at the top and bottom, respectively, of the sheets. The bottom of the uppermost gusset is recessed such that a pocket is formed at one end of the pouch. A compartment is formed within the pouch by the two sheets and the two gussets. A straw or other suitable instrument can be used to puncture the uppermost gusset in order to remove the contents from the compartment of the pouch. This pocket has a wide mouth and will enable easy insertion of the straw while minimizing or eliminating product spillage.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Abigail L Rodgers