The Coca-cola Company

Robert G Larkin

Mark W Holmes

Ted L Beaver

James W Smith

Thomas E Riley, Jr

Abigail L Rodgers

R Terry Allen

David A Dixon

William Brecheisen

Dilip G Maluste

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 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.

Stable flexible pouch and method for making the pouch

Container

Bottle

Sidewall for a bottle

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, TX, United States of America

Robert G Larkin