The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 30, 2003
R. Charles Murray, Sarasota, FL (US);
R. Charles Murray, Sarasota, FL (US);
PPL Technologies, LLC, Sarasota, FL (US);
Abstract
A flexible pouch with a self-contained straw for packaging a product includes a front panel and a back panel each having an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and side edges extending therebetween the upper and lower edges. A straw is disposed inside the pouch at an angle between an upper corner of the pouch and an opposite lower corner. The pouch includes a first seal applied to the upper corner of the pouch to form a pocket for holding an upper end of the straw, and a second seal extending along the unsealed portion of the upper edge of the pouch to close the pouch. A method of forming and filling a flexible pouch with an integral straw includes the steps of forming each of the panels and joining two panels by sealing together their side edges and lower edge to form the pouch. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and inserting the straw into the pouch by positioning the straw at an angle between an upper corner of the pouch and an opposite lower corner. The method further includes the steps of applying a first seal to the upper corner of the pouch to form a pocket for holding an upper end of the straw, and filling the pouch with the product. The method also includes the steps of applying a second seal extending along the unsealed portion of the upper edge of the pouch to close the pouch.