Abstract:
An improved dispensing pouch is provided having a flexible and collapsible container consisting of a pair of tapered side walls ( 14 ). A nozzle ( 12 ) is disposed at the lower end of the flexible container and heat sealed thereto. A removable end cap ( 26 ) is preferably snap-fit on to the nozzle and held in place by a retainer ring ( 30 ) or a nozzle with integral scaling threads ( 20 ). The side walls of the icing container are preferably heat sealed about the perimeter and on to the nozzle to effect a leak-proof container for the contents contained within.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/209,685, filed Jun. 6, 2000. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to dispensing devices, and more particularly, to pouches containing a confectionery for use in the application of decorative confectionery for cakes and cookies, for example.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Typically, flexible and collapsible dispensing bags of the type utilized for decorating cakes and cookies employ a dispensing bag having a relatively large filling opening at one end through which a flowable confection such as cake icing may be introduced. Typical dispensing bags include a relatively small dispensing opening at their other ends. Most prior art containers are substantially tapered from the filling to the discharge end with the lateral confines of the container being constituted of a flexible sheet material which may be formed of a plastic material, or a fabric impregnated with a synthetic resin.  
           [0004]    The application of a confectionery to the top of and sides of an iced cake or other pastry is well known in the art. Typically, the confectionery is sufficiently viscous as to maintain its shape and is resistant to excessive flow or slumping after being dispensed from an associated bag. Some types of icing may tend to surface hardened by reason of water evaporation after being dispensed from the bag and, accordingly, it is desirable that pastry bags be substantially leak-proof to prevent hardening of its contents prior to application or leaking during application. Typically, white icings are shipped to retailers who, in turn, color the icing by adding food dye in a variety of different colors. Ordinarily, separate pastry bags are used for each color of icing.  
           [0005]    It should be appreciated, such prior art dispensing systems require a baker or decorator to devote a considerable amount of time to mix appropriately colored icing, to fill and clean reusable pastry bags, and clean nozzle tips and other pastry bag accessories. In addition, the steps that need to be taken to dye, fill, and dispense icing from the number of different reusable icing bags results in additional undesirable side effects. For example, the steps of mixing, coloring, icing, and filling bags almost always results in some of the cake decorating material to be deposited at undesirable locations, such as the exterior of the bag, on the work table, and on the user&#39;s hands and garments.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a confectionery dispensing pouch that overcomes some of the aforementioned problems encountered by prior art devices.  
           [0007]    Another object of the invention is to produce a pouch for dispensing confectionery which allows for improved control of the icing flow to increase artistic capability and sophistication. Still another object of the invention is to produce a confectionery dispensing pouch which provides the same advantages to the home user as the commercial baker.  
           [0008]    Additional objects, advantages in other novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
           [0009]    To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved prefilled confectionery dispensing pouch is provided.  
           [0010]    The advantages and objectives of the invention may typically be achieved by a confectionery dispensing pouch which includes a flexible and collapsible container or pastry bag. Preferably, the container bag is formed of one or two sheets of tapered, flexible plastic material sealed together about the periphery to effect a leak-proof seal-of the contents contained therein. A nozzle is provided that is disposed between the narrower portions of the side walls of the dispensing bag and is preferably sealed to complete the leak-proof seal about the periphery of the flexible dispensing pouch. The nozzle preferably includes a number of external threads adapted to receive a retaining ring or decorating tip fitted with corresponding internal threads. A removable end cap is provided that is held in place by the retaining ring.  
           [0011]    Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description and drawings wherein there is described and shown a preferred embodiment of this invention in the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The above objects and advantages of the invention will become manifest to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the dispensing pouch of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dispensing pouch illustrated in FIG. 1 with a dispensing nozzle heat sealed in the outlet of the dispensing pouch;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in FIG. 2 prior to the removal of the protective cover;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 with a decorative dispensing tip;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , showing the decorative dispensing tip removed and the protective cap in a resealed position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a protective sealing cap arrangement;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a plan view with portions partially cut-away of an alternative dispensing pouch; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a left hand side view of the dispensing pouch illustrated in FIG. 7. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views. Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the dispensing pouch of the present invention generally designated by the numeral  10 . The dispensing pouch is comprised of first and second side walls  11 . Each of the side walls  11  includes a top end and a relatively narrow bottom end. The side walls  11  are joined together along the marginal edges at  14 , preferably by heat sealing or other suitable means such as by the application of a suitable adhesive, by stitching or sewing or the like to form a flexible and collapsible container for flowable confectionery, for example. The flexible container is tapered and is of a generally triangular shape with an outlet opening  12 . Preferably, the flexible and collapsible icing container is comprised of a flexible sheet material which may be formed of a synthetic resin or plastic material. Other suitable materials include processed or treated fabric, such as fabric impregnated with a synthetic resin. Any materials that possess the sufficient flexibility and strength and are impervious to the contents to be dispensed would be appropriate for the side walls  11  of the dispensing pouch  10  of the invention.  
         [0022]    It will be noted that the peripheral marginal edges  14  of the juxtaposed panels  11  are preferably heat sealed along the two parallel spaced apart edge portions and the top, leaving the outlet portion  12  open.  
         [0023]    As clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the dispensing pouch  10  of the present invention further includes a nozzle assembly  16 . The nozzle  16  includes an upper end that is disposed between and joined together with narrow bottom ends of the side walls  11  adjacent the outlet  12 . Preferably, the bottom ends of the side walls  11  are heat sealed (or sealed in another appropriate fashion) to the nozzle  16 , thereby effecting a leak-proof seal about the periphery of the outlet  12 . In such a manner, material stored within the dispensing pouch  10  may be stored and shipped with ease due to the stability of the material therein. The nozzle  16  is provided with a plurality of annular steps  18  which cooperate with the outlet portion  12  of the pouch  10  to produce a heat sealed relationship to occur between the side walls  11  and nozzle  16 . The nozzle  16  is also provided with an outer threaded portion  20  to receive the inner threaded portion of an annular retaining ring of collar  22  as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 .  
         [0024]    A tamper evident tear seal tab  24  is provided on the outermost end of the nozzle  16  to assure the user that the dispensing pouch  10  has not been opened.  
         [0025]    A removable end cap  26  is provided that is preferably substantially in the shape of a truncated cone and closed at its top. End cap  26  preferably fits on nozzle  16  in a snap-fit relationship and is secured thereto by a plastic driving hinge  28 . An internally threaded annular retaining ring  30  may be fit over end cap  26  and about nozzle  16 . By twisting the securing ring  22 , the internal threads thereof cooperate with threads  20  on the nozzle  16 . Such a configuration allows for the securing ring  22  to tightly and releasably secure end cap  26  in place during storage and transport of the prefilled dispensing pouch as illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0026]    With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a decorator tip  30  positioned on the nozzle  16 . The tip  30  is fastened to the nozzle  16  by the internally threaded collar  22 . When an alternative tip is desired, the collar  22  is initially removed by unthreading the same. Once completely loosened from the threads  20  of the nozzle  16 , the collar  22  is removed allowing removal and replacement of the tip  30 .  
         [0027]    When it is desired to reseal the dispensing pouch assembly, the tip  30  is removed, the cover  26  is snapped into a resealing position, and the collar  22  is secured on the threads  20  as illustrated in FIG. 5.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 discloses another alternative resealing structure.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative type dispensing pouch  10 ′ which may be satisfactorily substituted for the pouch  10  illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, the dispensing pouch  10 ′ is comprised of first and second side walls  11 ′ which are substantially identical with one another. Each of the side walls  11 ′ includes a top end and a relatively narrow bottom end. The side walls  11 ′ are joined together, preferably along the marginal edges  14 ′, as illustrated in FIG. 7, preferably by heat sealing or other suitable means such as by stitching or sewing or the like to form a flexible and collapsible container for a flowable confectionery, for example. In the dispensing pouch  10 ′, another panel  40  of flexible material has the marginal edges thereof joined to the respective side panels  11 ′ along the respective marginal edges  14 ′ to form a flexible end of the completed pouch.  
         [0030]    The flexible container or pouch  10 ′ is tapered and is of a generally triangular shape with an outlet opening  12 ′. Preferably, the pouch  10 ′ is formed of a flexible sheet material such as a synthetic resin or plastic material impervious to the contents to be dispensed.  
         [0031]    The dispensing pouch  10 ′ is typically provided with a nozzle of the same type and applied in the same manner as in the embodiment illustrated in the other illustrations. The structural difference between the embodiments enables the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 to be supported in a stand-up position on the end containing the panel  40 .  
         [0032]    Unlike prior art dispensing bags, the dispensing pouch of the present invention allows icing to be pre-colored and disposed in the bag before it reaches the retail baker or other user. For example, a manufacturer may distribute a virtually limitless array and variety of colored icing by using the dispensing pouch of the present invention. By so doing, bakers or decorators would no longer be required to undertake the time-consuming and costly task of buying large amounts of white icing in bulk, mixing the icing, filling, using, and cleaning reusable pastry bags, nozzles, etc. The dispensing pouch of the present invention will enable a user to purchase only the colors and amount of icing needed.  
         [0033]    In FIGS. 2, 3, and  4  of the invention, the tip  30  and the sealing cap  26  are shown as being secured to the nozzle  16  by an internally threaded retainer ring  22 . It will be appreciated that equally viable would be structures wherein the tips or the sealing caps are provided with self-contained threads negating the requirement for a separate attachment ring.  
         [0034]    From the above description, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be utilized as a retail package for sale to and used by the homemaker, as well as the bakery department in a retail store or a commercial bakery.  
         [0035]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention and the various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.  
         [0036]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.