RETORT POUCH WITH INTERNAL DRAIN SYSTEM

Abstract

The retort pouch includes an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein. A first tear strip is configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity. A drain element is located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity. The drain element is positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/358,958, filed on Jul. 7, 2022 and entitled “RETORT POUCH WITH INTERNAL DRAIN SYSTEM” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Canned foods are often budget-friendly, convenient, and provide longer shelf-lives for the products contained therein. For example, cans can be retorted when sealed to extend the shelf life of the products. However, canned foods create a number of problems. Canned packages can often be difficult to open. Canned packages often require a tool, such as a can opener, or provide an opening tab that is utilized to open the can. Can opening has been associated with several safety concerns to the consumers due to sharp edges created when opening the sealed containers. Canned foods also have several limitations in their usage. Once the metal can is opened, the contents have to be consumed immediately or stored in another container. Further, once the can has been opened, the water in the can generated during the retorting process has to be drained prior to cooking or consumption. This frequently requires the use of a strainer. Additionally, cans are inconvenient because even though cans are retorted they cannot be directly used in the microwave for cooking. While cans currently can be recycled, they must be cleaned prior to recycling, which consumes time and water. Finally, cans consume excessive energy during manufacturing and logistics. Retortable stand-up pouches are available, but they have limitations that render them unsuitable for replacing cans for food storage in terms of elimination of kitchen tools or having ability to cook and store contents in the same package in which they are shipped and sold.

The present technology is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a retort pouch. The retort pouch includes an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein. A first tear strip is configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity. A drain element is located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity. The drain element is positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a retort pouch. The method includes forming an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein. A first tear strip is formed that is configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity. A drain element is located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity, the drain element positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

This stand-up retort pouch of the present disclosure provides a number of advantages. The internal drain element, which may be formed of a mesh material, acts as a strainer within the packaging to help drain the contents. This eliminates the need for usage of a strainer tool. Further, the package can be opened using a tear strip for ease of opening, which eliminates the safety issues associated with cans or the need for a tool for opening. In some examples, the retort pouch has a re-sealability feature that allows for the contents to be stored in the pouch after the package has been opened. The retort pouch can be formed of materials that are compatible with retorting that can also be microwavable and recyclable. This pouch will also have an environmental impact, by saving energy consumption during processing and transportation. Specifically, the retort pouch will consume considerably less energy than cans for manufacturing and will be efficient during logistics. The retort pouch also offers better printability and aesthetics compared to a metal can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary retort pouch according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the exemplary retort pouch shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary retort pouch shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exemplary retort pouch shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the exemplary retort pouch shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary retort pouch shown in FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is an image of an exemplary retort pouch including a drain element according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is an image of an exemplary retort pouch illustrating the drain element located within an opening according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an exemplary drain element according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of a top portion of an exemplary retort pouch according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary retort pouch 10 of the present technology. The retort pouch is formed of materials suitable for retorting. That is the retort pouch 10 is formed such that the materials therein can be heat-treated inside the retort pouch 10 to generate a commercially sterile product that is stable in ambient conditions prior to opening. In some examples, the retort pouch 10 can be formed as a multilayer laminate. In one example, the retort pouch 10 includes an inside layer formed of materials such as cast polypropylene and nylon and an outer layer comprising aluminum dioxide or silicon dioxide, by way of example only. The retort pouch 10 can also be constructed to be microwavable. In some examples, the retort pouch 10 can be formed of materials that are recyclable after use. This design can be currently made with existing pouch manufacturing facilities with additional processing steps to include a drain element, as described in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 3, by way of example, the retort pouch 10 includes a bottom gusset 12 that allows the retort pouch 10 to stand up. The retort pouch 10 further has an ergonomic design that allows for easy storage and handling. Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the retort pouch 12 includes an inner cavity 14 located with an outer seal 16 that extends around the perimeter of the retort pouch 10. The inner cavity 14 provides a volume within the retort pouch 10 that is configured to receive and store a substance therein. For example, the inner cavity 14 can hold a food substance, such as any type of food typically stored as a canned good. In particular, the retort pouch 10 can be utilized to store all low acidic foods and potentially all foods that are typically canned, although the retort pouch 10 could be used to store other materials, such as pet foods. The retort pouch 10 can have various sizes and/or configurations such that the inner cavity 14 provides different volumes to store different amounts of substances, such as a food goods, therein. The inner cavity 14 also holds any liquids that are formed as a result of the retorting process. The outer seal 16 extends around the perimeter of the retort pouch 10. The outer seal 16 can be hermetically sealed to provide an airtight seal for the contents of the retort pouch 10 as known in the art.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the retort pouch 10 includes a drain element 18. The drain element 18 is located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity 14. The drain element 18 can be attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity 14 using known manufacturing techniques. The drain element 18 is positioned such that, as shown in FIG. 7B, the drain element 18 is located within an opening 20 of the retort pouch 10 when the outer seal 16 is opened by the user as described in further detail below. The drain element 18 is located above the inner cavity 14. FIG. 8 illustrates the exemplary drain element 18. The drain element 18 is configured as a mesh having a plurality of openings 22 that allow a user to drain excess liquid from the inner cavity 14 while retaining the substance stored in the retort pouch 10 within the inner cavity 14. This allows a user to drain liquids, for example formed during the retorting process, without having to utilize a strainer tool. The drain element 18 can have various configurations with any number of openings 22 of various sizes suitable to allow the drain element 18 to strain the contents of the inner cavity 14. The drain element 18 is formed of a flexible material such that the drain element 18 can lie flat when the pouch is closed, as shown in FIG. 7A, and then extend across the opening 20 when the retort pouch 10 is opened, as shown in FIG. 7B, as described in further detail below. In one example, the drain element 18 is formed of the same material as the retort pouch 10. For example, the drain element 18 can be formed as a multilayer laminate.

Referring now to more specifically to FIG. 9, which is a close-up view of a portion of the retort pouch 10, the retort pouch 10 can further include a first tear strip 24. In one example, first tear strip 24 is a perforated portion along the retort pouch 10 that is configured to allow a user to open the outer seal 14, such as a hermetic seal, to access the inner cavity 14 of the retort pouch 10. For example, ripping the retort pouch 10 along the first tear strip 24 generates the opening 20 in the outer seal 14 to expose the inner cavity 14 and the drain element 18, as shown in FIG. 7B for example. In this example, the drain element 18 is located below the first tear strip 24. The first tear strip 24 allows for the retort pouch 10 with ease, without any tools, which overcomes problems related to opening canned goods.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the retort pouch 10 can further include a second tear strip 26 that is similar in structure and operation to the first tear strip 24. In this example, the drain element 18 is located between the first tear strip 24 and the second tear strip 26. The second tear strip 26 is configured to allow a user to remove the drain element 18 from the retort pouch, for example after draining the excess liquid therefrom. The retort pouch 10 can further include a re-sealable seal 28 disposed between the first tear strip 24 and the bottom gusset 12 of the retort pouch 10. The re-sealable seal 28 can be configured as known in the art to allow the inner cavity 14 of the retort pouch 10 to be closed after the outer seal 16 has been removed. For example, the re-sealable seal 28 allows the contents of the retort pouch 10 to be stored after the initial opening for later consumption. For example, the retort pouch 10 can be microwaved and once done the retort pouch 10 can be sealed again using the re-sealable seal 28.

The retort pouch advantageously provides a stand-up retortable pouch design with internal drain system can be used to package all low acidic food and potentially all canned foods. The design allows for easy opening, draining of excess liquids, storage, microwaving, etc. The design can be currently made with existing pouch manufacturing facilities with additional processing steps.

Although various embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A retort pouch, comprising:

an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein;

a first tear strip configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity; and

a drain element located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity, the drain element positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

2. The retort pouch of claim 1, wherein the drain element includes a mesh structure for draining the excess liquid.

3. The retort pouch of claim 1, wherein the drain element is formed from a flexible material.

4. The retort pouch of claim 1, wherein the retort pouch is hermetically sealed by the outer seal.

5. The retort pouch of claim 1, wherein the retort pouch is formed from a microwavable material.

6. The retort pouch of claim 1 further comprising a re-sealable seal disposed between the first tear strip and a bottom gusset of the retort pouch to close the generated opening to seal the inner cavity.

7. The retort pouch of claim 1, wherein the retort pouch is formed of a material suitable to receive a food substance for retorting.

8. The retort pouch of claim 1 further comprising a second tear strip configured to remove the drain element from the retort pouch.

9. A method of forming a retort pouch, the method comprising:

forming an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein;

forming a first tear strip configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity; and

locating a drain element within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity, the drain element positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the drain includes a mesh structure for draining the excess liquid.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the drain is formed from a flexible material.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the retort pouch is hermetically sealed by the outer seal.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the retort pouch is formed from a microwavable material.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

disposing a re-sealable seal disposed between the first tear strip and a bottom gusset of the retort pouch to close the generated opening to seal the inner cavity.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the retort pouch is formed of a material suitable to receive a food substance.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

forming a second tear strip configured to remove the drain element from the retort pouch.