Abstract:
The invention relates to a disposable pouch having a function for storing, transporting, and serving food with both a spout and a zip lock like device, to promote expeditious storage and serving of food into and from the top section of the pouch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a pouch being disposable or re-usable to be used for storing, transporting, and serving liquid food. The invention particularly relates to a plastic pouch with a zip lock device running horizontally along the top section of the pouch with a plastic spout directly underneath the zip-lock device on the vertical face of the pouch. The spout facilitates the pouring, serving and removal of the liquid food to be stored inside the pouch. The zip lock device facilitates the insertion of liquid food as well as having a sealing mechanism allowing the pouch to be sealed and air tight for storage and transporting. Thus the pouch described provides a caregiver an all in one solution to store and serve liquid food. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The disposable pouch with spout and zip lock device described herein are designed to create a convenient system for storage, transport, and serving of food. During use home-made or purchased foods such as soups, baby food or liquid foods are poured into the pouch through the zip-lock opening which is sealed during storage and transportation. When serving the cap on the spout is removed and food is ejected through the spout by squeezing main body of the pouch whilst the zip lock is closed. 
         [0003]    An important aspect of this invention therefore, lies in providing a separate spout as well as a zip lock device at the top section of the pouch in which to pour the food in and out of the pouch and provide an air tight seal during storage and transportation. 
         [0004]    Air may be ejected from the spout and zip lock device when in an open formation, thus creating an air vacuum when the zip lock device is in a closed formation and cap is screwed onto the spout creating an airtight seal assisting to keep the food contents of the pouch fresh during storage. 
         [0005]    Briefly the pouch consists of two flexible sidewalls sealed to one another to define an opening. The bottom horizontal face of the pouch consists of an expandable flexible plastic upside down V shaped cross section forming a gusset which, when not in use, collapses. When in use the section is expandable allowing the base to support the pouch itself when placed on a flat surface. 
         [0006]    A zip lock device runs along the top of the pouch. The zip lock device opening is designed to allow access for food to be poured into the pouch and for the pouch to be sealed. A plastic spout is positioned on the top vertical corner of the pouch and is used to release the contents of the pouch. The importance of having both a zip lock seal along the top of the pouch as well as a separate plastic spout on the top vertical face of the pouch is to allow for convenient insertion and removal of food from the pouch. 
         [0007]    The transparency of the pouch allows a user to see the contents of the pouch during storage, warming and serving. To use the food pouch to store, heat and serve food, the pouch can stand upright on a flat surface using the self standing design. 
         [0008]    Other features, advantages and objects will become apparent from the specifications and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  Is a front view of an example of the pouch  2  with spout  3  and zip lock  4  device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  Is a bottom view of an example of the pouch  2  with spout  3  and zip lock  4  device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  Is a side view of an example of the pouch  2  with spout  3  and zip lock  4  device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  Is a cross sectional view of the zip lock  4  device used in the pouch  2  with spout  3  and zip lock  4  device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In  FIG. 1  a disposable food pouch  2  is illustrated. The pouch  2  is made of a flexible plastic and/or durable material. The main body of the pouch  2  consist of two flexible sheets  8 ,  9  which are fused together at the edges  5  forming an airtight and waterproof seal. The fusing of the two flexible sheets forms a pouch  2  in which liquid food can be stored.  FIG. 1  also illustrates an opening means to the pouch  2  via the use of a zip lock  4  device. In  FIG. 1  the spout  3  component of the pouch  2  can be clearly identified. An outlet is created through a rigid plastic material to form the spout  3 . This part is fused to the upper section of the pouch  2  directly below the zip-lock  4  seal. The spout  3  is designed to be a contents dispenser or outlet. The spout  3  is fixed to the main body of the pouch  2  by being fused to the inner layers of the two main flexible sheets  8 ,  9  that form the main body of the pouch  2 . The spout  3  may include a thread  12  used to screw on a cap  13  to temporarily seal the outlet and prevent liquids from escaping and creating an airtight seal during transportation, storage and handling. The cap  13  is designed to screw onto the spout  3  using a corresponding thread to match the thread  12  of the spout  3  so when screwed on to the spout  3  the cap  13  will created an air tight seal. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  depicts the bottom view of the pouch  2 . The sides of the pouch  2  can further include a fold  6  that allows the dimensions of the pouch  2  to vary depending on whether the pouch  2  is empty or full and/or whether the top of the pouch  2  is open or sealed. The bottom section of the pouch  2  can have a greater diameter than the top of the pouch  2 , this allowing the pouch  2  to stand upright unassisted which is an important feature of the invention in combination with the spout  3  and zip lock  4  seal. 
         [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts the side view of the pouch  2  and further illustrates the self standing design of the pouch  2  when the pouch  2  is filled with contents. In one embodiment the top of the front of the pouch  2  and the bottom of the front of the pouch  2  differ in size. As shown in  FIG. 2  when the pouch  2  is sealed the side of the pouch  2  can differ in size allowing the pouch  2  to stand upright without assistance. The bottom of the pouch  2  can be of a greater width and/or length than the top of the pouch  2 . In this configuration the sides of the pouch  2  angle outwards from the top of the pouch  2  to the bottom of the pouch  2  allowing the pouch  2  to stand upright without assistance. 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts the zip lock  4  mechanism. The zip lock  4  mechanism includes a zip fastener  10  and a lock fastener  11  integrally provided on the first and second surfaces respectively. The zip fastener  10  has two zip bodies spacedly and integrally extended from the first surface and a coupling groove extending towards the first surface at a position between two inner walls of the zip bodies. The lock fastener  11  has two locking arms spacedly and integrally extended from the second surface and a sealing arm integrally extended from the second surface at a position between the two locking arms to form two sealing cavities, wherein the sealing arm is sealedly inserted into the coupling groove until the round end of the sealing arm is positioned at the round end of the coupling groove. The zip lock  4  seal is positioned at the top section of the pouch  2  and is fused to the main body  8 ,  9  of the pouch  2  in a lengthwise direction at both end portions of the zip lock  4 . The positioning of the zip lock  4  is such that it is sandwiched between the two main walls  8 ,  9  of the pouch  2 , so that it forms an air tight seal when closed.