REFILLABLE POUCH FOR FOOD OR BEVERAGE

Abstract

Disclosed is a refillable aperture pouch for food or beverage comprising a refill-base and a lid; the refill-base and lid releasably connect; the refill-base allows the pouch to be refilled and allows access to the contents of the pouch through use of a utensil; an aperture is in the lid; the aperture pouch is adapted for use by children; the aperture pouch may be cleaned in a dishwasher; the aperture pouch may be hung on a rack by a cap, which cap connects to and seals the aperture; the aperture pouch may be refilled through use of a funnel; the funnel comprises an air-release channel.

Description

BACKGROUND

Pouches and bags exist to hold food (broadly understood to include solids, liquids, and transitional materials between solids and liquids, such as mixtures, suspensions, colloids and the like, which are eaten, drunk, or placed in the mouth). Pouches are known to exist to hold food, which food is in a liquid, semi-liquid, or paste form (hereinafter, “liquid food”). Pouches are known with apertures through which liquid food may be poured, squeezed, or extruded (“aperture pouches”); consider, for example, a toothpaste tube or a tube containing anchovy paste or jelly.

Refillable aperture pouches are also known to exist. Such pouches are known to comprise a bag with an opening on one side (the “opening side”) and an aperture on another side (the “aperture side”). In the known examples, the opening side is sealed with a clip which may be removed; when the clip is removed, the opening side may be opened to allow the refillable aperture pouch to be cleaned and refilled. Once filled, the opening side is then folded over and clipped, and then the liquid food can be poured or extruded through the aperture.

However, not known are refillable aperture pouches wherein the aperture side and the opening side are on the same side, in which the aperture is in a lid and the opening is in a refill-base and wherein the lid and the refill-base releasably connect, in which the refillable aperture pouch is adapted for use by children, in which the refillable opening allows access to the contents by a utensil (such as a knife, fork, or spoon), in which the refillable aperture pouch may be hung on a rack by a cap connected to the lid, in which the refillable aperture pouch may be washed in a dishwasher, and comprising a funnel with an air-release channel, to facilitate filling the aperture pouch.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a refillable aperture pouch for food or beverage comprising a refill-base and a lid; the refill-base and lid releasably connect; the refill-base allows the pouch to be refilled and allows access to the contents of the pouch through use of a utensil; an aperture is in the lid; the aperture pouch is adapted for use by children; the aperture pouch may be cleaned in a dishwasher; the aperture pouch may be hung on a rack by a cap, which cap connects to and seals the aperture; the aperture pouch may be refilled through use of a funnel; the funnel comprises an air-release channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment, with the refill-base, lid, and cap connected.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment, with the refill-base and lid connected and the cap disconnected, though secured via the cap lanyard.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view an embodiment, with the lid disconnected from the refill-base and the cap disconnected from the lid, though each being secured via the lid lanyard and the cap lanyard.

FIG. 4A is an elevation view of an embodiment with the refill-base, lid, and cap connected.

FIG. 4B is an elevation-section view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, with the refill-base, lid, and cap connected.

FIG. 5A is an elevation view of an embodiment with the refill-base connected to the lid and the lid and cap disconnected, though being secured via the cap lanyard.

FIG. 5B is an elevation-section view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, with the refill-base connected to the lid and the lid and cap disconnected, though being secured via the cap lanyard.

FIG. 6A is an elevation view of an embodiment with the refill-base, lid, and cap disconnected, though each being secured via, respectively, the lid lanyard and the cap lanyard.

FIG. 6B is an elevation-section view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, with the refill-base, lid, and cap disconnected, though each being secured via, respectively, the lid lanyard and the cap lanyard.

FIG. 7 presents a plan view of an embodiment in which the refill-base, lid, and cap are connected.

FIG. 8 presents a plan view of an embodiment in which the refill-base and lid are connected and cap is disconnected, though the cap is secured via a cap lanyard.

FIG. 9 presents a plan view of an embodiment in which the refill-base, lid, and cap are disconnected, though each being secured via, respectively, a lid lanyard and a cap lanyard.

FIG. 10A illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the refill-base and lid.

FIG. 10B illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of the refill-base and lid.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a cap.

FIG. 12A illustrates a top isometric view of a funnel.

FIG. 12B illustrates a bottom isometric view of a funnel.

FIG. 13A illustrates an elevation view of a funnel.

FIG. 13B illustrates a top plan view of a funnel.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top isometric view of a rack.

FIG. 15A illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components.

FIG. 15B illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components.

FIG. 15C illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components.

FIG. 15D illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components.

FIG. 16A illustrates an isometric view of a detail of a rack, with components assembled.

FIG. 16B illustrates isometric view of a detail of a rack, with components not assembled.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front elevation view of a rack.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side elevation view of a rack.

FIG. 19 illustrates an elevation view of a pouch with the outline of a rack around the cap.

FIG. 20 illustrates an elevation view of a pouch with the outline of a rack around the cap and showing the cap lanyard in relation to the rack.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of a pouch with the outline of rails of a rack on either side of the cap and showing the cap lanyard in relation to the rails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description of the drawings and the following detailed description refer to the accompanying drawings. The reference numbers in this detailed description begin with a two-digit number (or a two-digit number followed by an upper-case letter) which identifies the figure, followed by a dash character, followed by a three-digit number which identifies the feature or element. The same feature number in different drawing figures generally identifies the same or similar elements and/or components. A reference to a feature may be to “#-ABC” where “ABC” is the feature number and “#-” refers to all figures containing the feature.

The following description provides specific details for an understanding of various examples of the technology. One skilled in the art will understand that the technology may be practiced without many of these details. In some instances, structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail or at all to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples of the technology. It is intended that the terminology used in the description presented below be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of the technology. Although certain terms may be emphasized below, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

As used herein, “releasable,” “connect,” “connected,” “connectable,” “disconnect,” “disconnected,” and “disconnectable” refers to two or more structures which may be connected or disconnected, generally without the use of tools (examples of tools including screwdrivers, pliers, drills, saws, welding machines, torches, irons, and other heat sources) and generally in a repeatable manner. As used herein, “attach,” “attached,” or “attachable” refers to two or more structures or components which are attached through the use of tools or chemical or physical bonding. As used herein, “secure,” “secured,” or “securable” refers to two or more structures or components which are connected or attached and generally is used in the context of lanyards which connect or attach two structures or components.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pouch 01-000 is attached to a seal structure 01-005. The pouch 01-000 may comprise one or more layers. The material may comprise three layers, such of polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and polyethylene. The three layers may, together, be 0.13 mm thick. Types of plastic which may be used include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamides, and polyester. The pouch 01-000 and seal structure 01-005 may be heat- or chemically-bonded. The seal structure 01-005 may be part of a refill-base 01-040 (see also FIGS. 4, 5, and 6). The refill-base 01-040 may comprise the seal structure 01-005, a stationary flange 01-010, and a refill-neck 03-041. The lid 01-020 may comprise the lid 01-020, a pry flange 01-015, a retaining flange 02-065, a lid lanyard 01-030, and an aperture #-045 (see, for example, FIG. 2 and feature 02-045). The lid 01-020 and the refill-base 01-040 may connect via a set of interlocking compression rings (illustrated in FIG. 3 at features 03-070 and 03-075 and in FIG. 6A and 6B at features 06A-070 and 06B-070 and 06B-075; illustrated in a connected condition in FIG. 4B at features 04B-070/04B-075) or via a threaded connection similar to that shown on the aperture #-045. The connection between the refill-base 01-040 and lid 01-020 may be tight enough to resist pressure developed inside of the pouch when squeezed, but not so tight that the refill-base 01-040 and lid 01-020 cannot be disconnected by application of force generated by a human hand or hands and applied to the pry flange #-015. If connected via a set of interlocking compression rings, connection and disconnection of the lid 01-020 and refill-base 01-040 may be facilitated by the stationary flange 01-010 and the pry flange 01-015; the stationary flange 01-010 and pry flange 01-015 may be manipulated by the thumb and fingers on a single hand (one digit pushes down on the stationary flange 01-010 while another digit pushes up on the pry flange 01-015) to generate sufficient force to disconnect the lid from the refill-base. A non-overlapping area may be provided, such as the area identified by the dashed line 08-050 in FIG. 8, between the structure of the stationary flange 01-010 and the structure of the pry flange 01-015, which non-overlapping area allows the fingers to generate sufficient leverage and force to disconnect the lid from the refill-base. To facilitate generation of sufficient leverage and force to disconnect the lid from the refill-base, the non-overlapping area may be enlarged by a concave depression (when viewed from above) in the stationary flange; see FIG. 10A and element 10A-105.

The lid 01-020 may be secured to the refill-base 01-040 via the lid lanyard 01-030, which lid lanyard 01-030 may be made out of one or more flexible materials. The lid lanyard 01-030 may comprise a thinner portion to make it more flexible, such as the thinner portion 10B-100 illustrated in FIG. 10B. The lid 01-020 and refill-base 01-040 may further comprise seats #-055 (illustrated in FIG. 4 at element 04-055), which seats are formed by a close-fitting arrangement between the refill-neck 04-041 and the lid 04-020 and which seats facilitate the retention of food and liquid inside of the pouch 01-000 when the lid 01-020 and refill-base 01-040 are connected.

Turning to FIG. 2, the lid 02-020 is illustrated as comprising the aperture 02-045. The aperture 02-045 is illustrated as being connected to a cap 02-025 via a cap lanyard 02-035. The connection between the aperture 02-045 and the cap lanyard 02-035 may further comprise a ring 02-060 (also illustrated in FIG. 11 at element 11-060), which ring may connect the cap lanyard 02-035 to the aperture 02-045 via a retaining flange 02-065 (which is illustrated as being part of the aperture 02-045; also illustrated at 05B-065). The ring 02-060 may allow the cap 02-025 and cap lanyard 02-035 to rotate around the aperture 02-045. The cap 02-025 and aperture 02-045 may connect via, for example, a threaded connection (as shown) or interlocking compression rings. The cap may terminate on the threaded connection with the cap lanyard parallel to the short axis of the pouch when viewed from above; see, for example 21-035 and the discussion regarding FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, below.

FIG. 3 illustrates the lid 03-020 disconnected from the refill-base 03-040, though remaining secured via the lid lanyard 03-030. FIG. 3 also illustrates the cap 03-025 being disconnected from the aperture 03-045; the cap 03-025 may remain connected to the aperture 03-045, notwithstanding that the lid 03-020 is disconnected from the refill-base 03-040.

The pouch #-000 in the figures may be made of a flexible or semi-flexible material, such as plastic, thermo-plastic, silicone, fabric, and/or one or more layers of material. The pouch may be .13 mm thick. The pouch #-000 may be collapsible. A hinged portion may allow the bottom portion of the pouch to fold along a hinge 03-080.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B show elevation and elevation-section views with features labeled according to the numbering scheme described above. The elevation-section views present a section along the midline of the long axis the pouch #-000, when viewed from above. FIGS. 5A and 5B also illustrates an aperture seat 05B-090 in and against which the aperture 05B-045 may seal when the cap 05B-025 is connected to the aperture 05B-045. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate that the compression ring 06A-070 and 06B-070 may be female while the compression ring 06B-075 may be male (the reverse may be an embodiment).

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show plan views with features labeled according to the above discussion. As shown in FIG. 9, dashed-line 09-085 (which is along the short axis of the pouch #-000, when viewed from above), the fill-lid 09-040 provides a relatively large opening. The relatively large opening may allow the pouch #-000 to be refilled and/or may allow access to the interior of the pouch via a finger, utensil, or via tipping and pouring. The large opening may also allow the pouch #-000 to be cleaned in a dishwasher. The pouch #-000 may stand open, vertically oriented, and ready to receive a food or beverage when placed on a counter or other flat surface, notwithstanding that the pouch may be empty or be partially empty.

Not shown, a spoon may be connected to the aperture #-045, which spoon may comprise an opening in the structure which connects the spoon to the aperture. The opening in the structure which connects the spoon to the aperture may allow the contents of the pouch to be squeezed into the spoon for consumption or other purposes. If the pouch #-000 does not spring-back when released after being squeezed but remains in a collapsed or semi-collapsed state, then air will not be drawn into the pouch and subsequent squeezes of the pouch may result in additional food or beverage being squeezed into the spoon.

FIG. 10A illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the refill-base and lid. As discussed above, this view illustrates a concave depression, at element 10A-105, which facilitates generation of sufficient leverage and force to disconnect the lid from the refill-base.

FIG. 10B illustrates an elevation view of an embodiment of the refill-base and lid. As discussed above, this view illustrates that the lid lanyard 10B-030 may comprise a thinner portion, illustrated at element 10B-100, to make it more flexible.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a cap, including ring 11-060.

FIG. 12A illustrates a top isometric view of a funnel while FIG. 12B illustrates a bottom isometric view of a funnel, #-110. The funnel #-110 is illustrated as comprising a handle #415, a graduated portion #420, a transitional portion #425, a continuous portion #-130 (also referred to herein as a “funnel neck), and an indentation #-135. The continuous portion #-130 of the funnel #-110 may be sized to be inserted into the refill-neck #-041, with the continuous portion #-130 coming to a stop within the interior of refill-neck #-041, with the top of the refill-neck #-041 contacting the transitional portion #-125 at approximately the location marked by dotted line 13-126. The funnel may then be used to fill the aperture pouch #-000. The indentation#-125 extends above the top of the refill-neck #-041 and may allow air to escape from the pouch #-000 as the pouch #-000 is being refilled.

FIG. 13A illustrates an elevation view of a funnel while FIG. 13B illustrates a plan view of a funnel, with elements numbered according to the discussion, above.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top isometric view of a rack, 14-140. The rack 14-140 comprises a cantilever beam 14-141, a support post 14-150, a platform 14-155, two rails 14-145, and two lips 14-160 at the ends of the rails.

FIG. 15A illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components. This view illustrates two male boss members 15A-165, which may be used to guide the components together during assembly (securing to female boss members 15B-166). This view illustrates a support post foot 15A-175 and a screw guide 15A-170.

FIG. 15B illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components. This view illustrates three female clip members 15B-180, which may be used to guide the components together during assembly (securing to male clip member 15C-181), and female boss members 15B-166.

FIG. 15C illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components. This view illustrates three male clip members 15B-181 and non-stick pads 15C-185.

FIG. 15D illustrates an isometric view of a rack with components missing, to illustrate interior components. This view illustrates screw 15D-190.

FIG. 16A illustrates an isometric view of a detail of a rack, with components assembled. This view illustrates the male and female clip components assembled into three clips 16A-200. The male clip components form a spring-loaded connection with the female clip components. This view also illustrates the lips 16A-160.

FIG. 16B illustrates isometric view of a detail of a rack, with components not assembled.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front elevation view of a rack, with the components discussed above numbered. In addition to the components discussed above, this view also labels arc 17-220 above rails 17-145.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side elevation view of a rack, with the components discussed above numbered. Dotted line 18-156 is more than the height of pouch #-000 (excluding cap #-025) and illustrates that there is space in the rack to hang the pouch #-000 by sliding the cap #-025 within the arc #-220 and between the rails #-145.

FIG. 19 illustrates an elevation view of a pouch (parallel to the long axis of the rack when viewing an elevation) with the outline of the vault of a rack around the cap. This view illustrates arc 19-220 and that cap 19-025 fits within the arc 19-220. This view also illustrates rails 19-145 with an exaggerated profile.

FIG. 20 illustrates an elevation view of a pouch with the outline of the vault of a rack around the cap and showing the cap lanyard in relation to the rack, parallel to the long axis of the rack. This view illustrates that cap 20-025 has been screwed onto the threads on aperture #-045 to its terminus, leaving cap lanyard 20-035 between the rails 20-145.

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of a pouch with the outline of rails of a rack on either side of the cap and showing the cap lanyard in relation to the rails 21-145. This view illustrates that cap 21-025 has been screwed onto the threads on aperture #-045 to its terminus, leaving cap lanyard 21-035 between the rails 21-145. In this Figure, dotted lines in the rails 21-145 illustrate where the rails 21-145 pass beneath the cap 21-025 (when viewed from above).

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the term “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words, “herein, ” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to particular portions of this application. When the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular may also include the plural while words using the plural may also include the singular. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of one or more of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the refillable pouch is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the refillable pouch to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the refillable pouch are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the system, as those skilled in the art will recognize.

Claims

1. A refillable aperture pouch for food, comprising:

a lid with an aperture;

a releasable connection between the lid and a refill-base,

the refill-base comprising an opening into a pouch; and

the pouch attached to the refill-base;

wherein the pouch is a flexible material.

2. The pouch according to claim 1, further comprising a cap attachable to the lid.

3. The pouch according to claim 2, wherein the cap attaches to the lid via a threaded connection.

4. The pouch according to claim 2, wherein the cap attaches to the lid via a compression fitting.

5. The pouch according to claim 2, further comprising a first lanyard connecting the cap to the lid.

6. The pouch according to claim 5, wherein the lid comprises a retaining flange, the first lanyard is attached to the cap and connects the cap to the lid via a ring in the lanyard, which ring connects the cap to the lid below the retaining flange.

7. The pouch according to claim 1, further comprising a second lanyard attaching the lid and the refill-base.

8. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the releasable connection between the lid and refill-base comprises a set of interlocking compression rings.

9. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises two side panels, attached to one another along the perimeter of both sides.

10. The pouch according to claim 9, wherein the pouch comprises a third panel attached to the two side panels, distal to the refill-base and substantially perpendicular to the two panels.

11. The pouch according to claim 3, wherein the termination point of the cap on the threaded connection places a lanyard attaching the cap and lid substantially along the short plan-view axis of the pouch when the cap is fully threaded onto the threaded connection.

12. The pouch according to claim 2, further comprising a rack.

13. The pouch according to claim 12, wherein the rack holds the pouch by the cap between two rails separated by an opening.

14. The pouch according to claim 13, wherein, when viewed along the rack short axis, the two rails are spanned by a vault, and wherein the interior height of the vault is greater than the height of the cap.

15. The pouch according to claim 13, wherein the rails comprise a lip.

16. The pouch according to claim 13, wherein the pouch slides between the rails in the opening.

17. The pouch according to claim 13, wherein the rails are supported at one end by a post, forming a cantilever.

18. The pouch according to claim 13, wherein the opening between the rails is narrower than the base of the cap and wider than the aperture.

19. The pouch according to claim 12, wherein the rack comprises two halves connected by a clip.

20. The pouch according to claim 19, wherein the two halves are attached by a boss.

21. The pouch according to claim 2, further comprising a funnel.

22. The pouch according to claim 21, wherein the funnel comprises a graduated portion narrowing to a funnel neck, which funnel neck fits into the refill- base.

23. The pouch according to claim 22, wherein an indentation in the funnel forms a channel between the refill-base and the funnel.

24. The pouch according to claim 23, wherein the indentation spans from the base of the funnel neck to a location between the top of the funnel neck and the top of the graduated portion.