A squeezable container is disclosed for holding and dispensing a flowable product like yogurt. The container generally includes a flexible and collapsible pouch body having an internal space for storing the flowable product, an external spout fitment attached to the outside of the dispensing end of the pouch body and through which the product can be dispensed, and a cap on the spout fitment, which can be opened by the user to dispense the product and closed to reseal the container. The cap includes a self-closing valve, and is configured to support the container in a cap-down orientation.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates generally to squeezable containers for holding and dispensing flowable products, including food products like yogurts and other dairy products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to squeezable containers for holding and dispensing a flowable product, particularly yogurt products. The container includes a collapsible pouch, an external spout fitment on the pouch, and a cap removably secured to the spout fitment.

The collapsible pouch has an internal space for storing the flowable product. The pouch has a first dispensing end and an opposite second end. The pouch comprises a plurality of flexible sheet panels each sealed to another panel at edges thereof. The panels include a lower gusset panel at the first dispensing end of the pouch and an upper gusset panel at the opposite second end of the pouch. The lower gusset panel includes an opening leading to the internal space in the pouch.

The external spout fitment comprises a spout and a flange base extending around one end of the spout. The flange base is bonded to an outer surface of the lower gusset panel such that the spout is in fluid communication with the internal space of the pouch through the opening in the lower gusset panel.

The cap is removably secured to the spout. The cap includes a dispensing orifice with a self-closing valve therein and a lid removably covering the dispensing orifice. The lid has an outer surface configured to support the container in a cap-down orientation for storage.

The pouch is configured to be squeezed by a user to force the flowable product from the internal space in the pouch through the spout and the self-closing valve to dispense the product.

Like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to squeezable containers for holding and dispensing flowable products. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the squeezable containers are designed for storing food products, particularly yogurts and other dairy products. It should be understood, however, that containers in accordance with various embodiments can be used with virtually any type of flowable product, including both food and non-food products.

FIGS. 1-6illustrate an exemplary squeezable container10in accordance with one or more embodiments. It should also be understood that the containers illustrated in the drawings are exemplary and many variations of such containers are possible. The particular size and shape of the illustrated containers are exemplary and not intended to be limiting.

The container10generally comprises a flexible and collapsible pouch body12having an internal space for storing the flowable product, a spout fitment14attached to the outside of the dispensing end of the pouch body12and through which the product can be dispensed, and a cap16on the spout fitment14, which can be opened by the user to dispense the product and closed to reseal the container10.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible pouch body12comprises a plurality of panels that are sealed at their outer edges to form the pouch and define the internal space for storing the product. The panels can comprise a variety of flexible sheet materials including, e.g., paper, plastic, and foil materials. The panels can also comprise a single layer or multiple layers including a multilayer laminate structure. The panels are liquid proof and can be bonded, e.g., by heat or ultrasonic sealing or welding processes.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the flexible pouch body12comprises a front panel18, a back panel20, an upper gusset panel22, and a lower gusset panel24. The front and back panels18,20are sealed to each other along their outer edges, forming side seal lines26. The upper edges of the front and back panels18,20are sealed to the outer edge of the upper gusset panel22at upper seal lines28. Similarly, the lower edges of the front and back panels18,20are sealed to the outer edge of the lower gusset panel24at lower seal line30.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, some or all of the panels18-24are integrally connected end-to-end and are formed from a single sheet of flexible material. The single sheet of material can be folded and sealed at the folds to form the pouch. In one or more alternate embodiments, the panels18-24can comprise separate sheets of material that are joined to other sheets at their outer edges to form the pouch.

The lower gusset panel24includes a slit or opening31at the center thereof leading to the internal space in the flexible pouch body12. The spout fitment14is secured to the exterior surface of the lower gusset panel24such that the spout34of the fitment is in fluid communication with the interior of the flexible pouch body12through the opening in the lower gusset panel24. The product in the pouch body12can thereby be dispensed through the spout fitment14.

The spout fitment14comprises a flange base32and a spout34that extends in a generally perpendicular direction from the flange base32. Helical threads extend about the outer surface of the spout34. The threads are configured to engage corresponding interior threads of the cap16. When the container10is used for storing food products, the spout fitment14preferably comprises a food grade plastic. The spout fitment14can be made by injection molding or other processes.

The surface of the flange base32opposite the spout34is securely bonded to the lower gusset panel24of the pouch body12. In one or more embodiments, the flange base32is heat sealed or ultrasonically welded to the pouch body12. In the exemplary embodiments, the flange base32is bonded to the outside surface of the lower gusset of the pouch body12, and the spout fitment is external, i.e., no portion of the spout fitment14is inside the pouch body12. This particular arrangement of components advantageously simplifies construction of the container10.

The cap16has a screw cap base36with a hinged flip-top lid38in accordance with one or more embodiments. The screw cap base36is screwed onto the threaded spout34of the spout fitment14. The flip-top lid38can be flipped open relative to the base36to the opened position shown inFIG. 5when a consumer wants to dispense the product. In the opened position, a dispensing orifice40in the cap base36is uncovered, through which the product is dispensed. The flip-top lid38can be snapped into the closed position shown inFIGS. 1-4, when desired, enabling the user to quickly and easily reseal the container10as needed. The cap16, like the spout fitment14, can be a molded plastic component, and may be a food-grade material if the product is a food product.

The cap lid38includes a wide flat outer surface42, which supports the container10in a cap-down position when stored on a surface (e.g., a refrigerator shelf) in a stable manner.

As shown inFIG. 7, which is a bottom view of the cap base36, the dispensing orifice40includes a self-closing valve44therein, which inhibits unwanted product leakage. The valve comprises a resilient membrane (e.g., a silicone membrane) with slits. The valve is biased toward a closed position. When the container10is squeezed, pressure applied by the product causes the membrane to separate at the slits, thereby creating an opening through which the product can be dispensed. When the user stops squeezing the container10, the membrane resiliently reverts to its closed position, inhibiting further product flow. The valve44thereby allows a more controlled product delivery with reduced or no dripping, and also reduces or prevents leakage when the container10is stored in the cap-down orientation.

The valve44also inhibits entry of air into the interior space in the pouch body12. As discussed above, the pouch body12is collapsible. As the user squeezes the container10to dispense the product, the pouch body12collapses and is reduced in volume. The valve closes when the user stops squeezing the container10and helps keep air from entering the container10. By limiting exposure to air, the product shelf life can be increased.

The combination of features of the container10described above have been found to be particularly advantageous for use in storing and dispensing yogurt products. For instance, the configuration of the container designed to be stored in a cap-down position is particularly advantageous for yogurt products where there may be whey separation from the yogurt. Any separated whey will collect at the upper, non-dispensing end of the container10. Therefore, when the user dispenses the product from the opposite dispensing end, the separated whey will not (at least initially) be dispensed, which may be undesirable for some users.

In addition, the use of the upper and lower gusset panels22,24in the container enables the pouch body12to have an expanded generally tubular shape as it can be filled substantially throughout the pouch, including at the dispensing and non-dispensing ends. This allows for more complete and efficient space utilization during transportation as well as when stored on shelves.

Furthermore, the use of an external spout fitment bonded only to the outside of the pouch simplifies the construction of the container. In addition, it provides a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

A premade container10can be filled with a product using commercially available pouch filling equipment. The cap16of the container10is removed from the spout fitment14. A filling nozzle of the pouch filling equipment is inserted into the spout fitment14, and a fixed volume of product is deposited into the pouch through the spout34. A removable seal or liner such as a tamper-evident liner can be applied to the end of the spout34to seal the pouch. The cap16is then twisted into place on the spout fitment14. After purchasing the product-filled container, the user removes the cap16and peels off the seal or liner before reinstalling the cap and dispensing the product.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. Additionally, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional components or joined together to form fewer components for performing the same functions. Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.