Patent Publication Number: US-2019167023-A1

Title: Food pouch container

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/876,010 filed Jan. 19, 2018, currently pending, to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/340,547 filed Jul. 24, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,907,420 on Mar. 6, 2018 and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/929,206, filed on Jan. 20, 2014, all by Timothy Fellin et al., and entitled “FOOD POUCH CONTAINER,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, including the drawings. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the field of food containers, and in particular in the field of containers for food pouches. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Recently, there has been an increased growth in the use and marketing of food pouches, also referred to as stand-up pouches, especially for use with baby food. The food pouches are easy to use for the parents and the children can suck the food out of the pouch. The use of the food pouch eliminates the need for a glass baby food jar, and the need to spoon feed the food to the infant or toddler, thereby reducing the mess that is often accompanied when one is feeding a child. 
     However, the food pouches themselves can create mess. Invariably, the flow of food through the opening of the pouch is not controlled. Therefore, when the child squeezes the food pouch, the food squirts from the top opening and can soil the child&#39;s clothing or chair. Thus, there is a need in the art to retain the convenience of the food pouch but reduce or prevent the accompanying mess that the use of the pouch produces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; and a surface dividing the back portion into an upper cavity, inside the back portion, and a lower cavity. In some embodiments, the lower cavity is inside the back portion, while in other embodiments, the lower cavity is an exterior cavity. Also disclosed are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; means for contouring the food pouch from a bottom thereof and means for contouring the food pouch from at least a side thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates the view of the interior of an embodiment of the back portion of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the view of the interior of an embodiment of the front portion of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates the bottom view of an embodiment of the back portion of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the view of the interior of an embodiment of the back portion of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates the top view of an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates the top view of another embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a surface-adjusting mechanism disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the cross section of an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the cross section of another embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates the side view of an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates the side view of another embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates the perspective view of an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein, having handles, in its open configuration. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates the front view of an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein, having handles, in its closed configuration. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its closed configuration.  FIG. 11D  illustrates the interior of the same embodiment of the food pouch container. 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates an embodiment of the food pouch container disclosed herein in its open configuration.  FIG. 12B  illustrates the front portion and  FIG. 12C  illustrates the back portion thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed herein are containers for holding a food pouch. The interior of the containers disclosed herein comprise elements on the sides and the bottom that are designed to contort the shape of the food pouch in such a way as to allow the food to easily be accessible to the user, e.g., a child, regardless of the amount of food left in the pouch. Some embodiments of the presently disclosed containers prevent the area around the neck of the pouch to collapse and create a vacuum. 
     The various embodiments of the presently disclosed containers are now described in view of the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the presently disclosed container  100  in its closed formation. The container  100  comprises a body, having a front portion  102  and a back portion  104 . The container  100  also comprises a top opening  106 , from which the nozzle or mouthpiece of a food pouch protrudes once the food pouch is placed inside the container  100 . In some embodiments, tabs  108  are placed on either side of the container  100 , which are configured to ease the opening of the container  100  so that a new pouch can be placed therein or a used pouch be removed therefrom. 
     The body is constructed of a rigid, child-safe material, such as plastic, wood, shatterproof glass, metal, or other rigid material, which holds the food pouch or food bag and preferably prevents a consumer from expelling the contents of the food pouch or food bag by squeezing. 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the presently disclosed container  100  in its open formation. In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 2 , the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  are attached together at the bottom of the container  100 , i.e., the side opposite of the top opening  106 , by a hinge  202 , which is described more fully below. In other embodiments, when the container  100  is opened, the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  become separated. 
     In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 2 , the top opening  106  comprises of two semicircle sections. One semicircle portion  204  is cut into the front portion  102 , whereas another semicircle  206  is cut into the back portion  104 . In some embodiments, the semicircles  204  and  206  are of the same size, i.e., they each define an arc of 180°. In other embodiments, and primarily depending on the thickness of the top edges of the front portion  102  and the back portion  104 , the semicircles  204  and  206  may be of a different size. For example, one of the semicircles  204 , 206  defines an arc &gt;180°, while the other of the semicircles  204 , 206  defines an arc &lt;180°. 
     In some embodiments (not shown), the top opening  106  is in the shape of a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, a triangle, a trapezoid, or another geometric shape. In these embodiments, the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  comprise the two halves of the top opening  106 , which when the container  100  is closed, the two halves form the square or the rectangle. Thus, in these embodiments, the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  do not comprise semicircles, but comprise the halves of the top opening  106 . 
     In some embodiments, once the container  100  is closed, the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  are held together by at least one latch. The latch may be placed anywhere along the perimeter of the container  100 . In some embodiments, the latch is along the internal perimeter of the container  100 , whereas in other embodiments, the latch is along the external perimeter of the container  100 . In some embodiments, the latch is towards the top of the container  100 . In these embodiments, the bottom of the container  100  comprises a hinge or other mechanism, such as a tab and slot, or a friction lock mechanism. In other embodiments, the latch is towards the bottom of the container  100 . In these embodiments, the top of the container  100  comprises a hinge or other mechanism, such as a tab and slot, or a friction lock mechanism. In some embodiments, the latch is on one of the sides of the container  100 . 
     In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 2 , the back portion  104  comprises two latches  208 , located at either side of the top of the back portion  104 . In some embodiments, each latch  208  comprises a lip  210  (also referred to as a raised member), which points outward. The front portion  102  comprises corresponding indents  212 . When the container  100  is closed, the lip  210  of the latch  208  catches inside the indent  212  and causes the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  to remain connected. In other embodiments, the latch  208  engages a corresponding portion in the front portion  102  to create a friction lock. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the lip  210  and the indent  212  are shown as lines. In other embodiments, the lip  210  and the indent  212  may have another geometrical shape, for example a circle, a semicircle, or a hemisphere. 
     In certain embodiments, tabs  108  are placed on the outside of the back portion  104 , in a place corresponding to the latches  208 . When the tabs  108  are pressed, the latches  208 , and consequently the lips  210 , are pushed to the interior cavity of the back portion  104 . If the latches  208  are engaged with the indents  212 , then pressing on the tabs  108  releases the lips  210  from the indents  212 . The front portion  102  and the back portion  104  can then be easily separated. Tab  222  is provided on the front portion  102  to provide additional friction for when a user chooses to open the container  100 . Thus, in these embodiments, to open the container  100 , a user can hold the back portion  104  by the tabs  108  and the front portion  102  by the tabs  222 . The user then exerts pressure on the tabs  108  to release the latches  208  from the indents  212 . Then the user pulls the tabs  108  away from the tabs  222 . 
     In the embodiments, where the latches  208  form a friction lock with the front portion  102 , the tabs  108  solely provide a friction hold for the user, similar to the tabs  222 . 
     While the latch mechanisms here have been described with the reference to their placement on either the front portion  102  or the back portion  104 , the skilled artisan recognizes that the arrangement can easily be reversed. The reversed arrangement is specifically contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, a surface  214  divides the interior cavity of the back portion  104  into an upper cavity  216  and a lower cavity  218 . In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 2 , the surface  214  is a cantilever, whereas in other embodiments, the surface  214  is a shelf. In certain embodiments, the surface  214  is arced, whereas in other embodiments, the surface  214  is flat. In some embodiments, the surface  214  is fixed in place. In other embodiments, the position of the surface  214  is changed upward or downward, as described more fully below. In some embodiments, the upper cavity  216  is configured to receive a food pouch (not shown). In certain embodiments, the lower cavity  218  is configured to optionally hold the cap  220  of the food pouch. This embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Throughout the present disclosure and the claims, the direction “up,” “top,” or “upper” refers towards the location where the mouthpiece of a food pouch fits into the container. The direction “down,” “lower,” or “bottom” refers towards the location where the bottom of the food pouch fits into the container. Thus, for example, the top hole  106  is at the top and the surface  214  is at the bottom with respect to the top hole. In other words, the surface  214  is “lower” than the top hole  106 . 
     Throughout the present disclosure, the “front” and “back” refer to the location of the surface  214 . Thus, whichever portion that comprises the surface  214  is considered the “back” portion, regardless of how the container is held by the user. 
       FIG. 3A  provides a clearer view of the back portion  104 , without the presence of the front portion  102  or the cap  220 . The back portion of the hinge  202  is also illustrated.  FIG. 3B  provides a clearer view of the front portion  102  back, without the presence of the portion  104 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the back of the hinge  202  on the back portion  104  ( FIG. 3A ) comprises a bar  302 . Ridges  304 , 306 , 308 , 310  divide the hinge  202  portion into three areas  312 ,  314 , and  316 . The front edge of each of the areas  312 , 314 , 316  is open. The front of the hinge  202  on the front portion  102  ( FIG. 3B ) comprises three curved members. The outer members  318  and  322  are arced downward whereas the central member  320  is arced upward. When the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  are joined together, the outer members  318  and  322  catch the bar  302  in front of areas  316  and  312 , respectively, such that the bar  302  is placed under the curved members  318  and  322 . Simultaneously, the central member  320  catches the bar  302  in front of area  314  such that the bar  302  is placed above the curved member  320 . Thus, a hinge is formed. 
       FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the back portion  104  showing the position of the bar  302 , the ridges  306 , 308  and the openings  324 ,  326 , and  328  in front of the areas  312 ,  314 , and  316 , respectively. 
     Other methods of forming a hinge are known in the art and are contemplated herein. For example, in some embodiments, the front portion  102  comprises a plurality of semicircular members that catch the bar  302 , thus forming a hinge. In other embodiments, more or fewer curved members are placed on the front portion  102 . In other embodiments, the curved members  318 , 320 , 322  are placed on the back portion  104 , whereas the bar  302  is placed on the front portion  102 . Any other configuration that allows for a hinge to be formed is contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, the front view of the container  100  comprises a generally rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the front view shape of the container  100  is square. In other embodiments, the front view shape of the container  100  comprises another geometrical shape, for example a circle, a triangle, and the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows the front view of the back portion  104 . The illustrated embodiment comprises a generally rectangular shape, with the addition of side pinches  402  at either side of the back portion  104 . As can be seen from the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , corresponding side pinches appear on the front portion  102  as well. The upper cavity  216 , then is defined at the top by the top of the container  100 , and the top opening  206 ; at the bottom by the surface  214 ; and at the sides by the sides of the container  100  having the side pinches  402 . A food pouch is placed in the upper cavity  216  such that the bottom of the food pouch rests on the surface  214 , and attains the generally curved shape of the surface  214 . The nozzle of the food pouch protrudes from the top opening  206 . The sides of the food pouch are also curved due to the curvature caused by the side pinches  402 . 
     In some embodiments, the user can choose to store the cap of the food pouch in the lower cavity  208  while the child is consuming the food in the food pouch, thereby reducing the chances of the cap getting lost or dirty. 
     The inventors have discovered that when a food pouch is partially used, vacuum is generated at the top of the food pouch and the body of the pouch collapses. While there is still plenty of food within the pouch, a child cannot access it easily because of the collapsed body of the pouch near the nozzle. The child will then need to suck forcefully, which results in the tiring of, and aches in, the jaw. However, in some embodiments, when the food pouch is placed in the container  100  as described herein, where the food pouch attains the curvatures discussed above, there is created a “pinch” by the side pinches  402  and a “push” by the surface  214 . Consequently, in these embodiments, the body of the pouch does not collapse and the child can easily access the entirety of the food in the pouch, without having to suck forcefully. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates two embodiments of the top opening  106  of the container  100 . In  FIG. 5A , the top opening  106  is circular and is configured to accommodate a food pouch having any shape nozzle. However, the standard nozzle for the pouches currently on the market has a square cross section. The embodiment of  FIG. 5B  is a square top opening  106 . The advantage of this embodiment is that when the food pouch is placed in the container  100 , the cap of food pouch can be twisted open or closed without the need to hold the nozzle. In these embodiments, when the cap is twisted open or closed, the pouch itself does not twist. When the pouch twists, it can make it hard or impossible to suck contents out of nozzle. 
     In some embodiments, the surface  214  is not fixed to the back portion  104 . In these embodiments, there exists a mechanism by way of which the surface  214  is moved up or down. In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 6 , an adjusting mechanism  600  is incorporated into the container  100 . The mechanism  600  comprises a knob  602 , optionally a bottom plate  604 , a threaded spindle  606 , optionally a top shelf  608 , and a cap  610 . The mechanism  600  is incorporated such that the knob  602  is outside of the container  100 , and located at the bottom thereof. The bottom plate  604 , if present rests abutting the bottom of the container  100 . The cap  610  serves the same function as the surface  214 . In some embodiments, the shape of the top of the cap  610  is flat, whereas in other embodiments, the top of the cap  610  is curved, having the same design as the surface  214  shown in  FIG. 2 . The top shelf  608  is optionally present to provide additional stability to the cap  610 . The user can rotate the knob  602 , thereby moving the cap  610  up or down, providing more or less pressure on the food pouch, as the need may be. 
     In other embodiments, there is provided a boss at the bottom of the container  100 , which boss is in contact with a cap. When the user pushes the boss in, towards the top of the container  100 , the cap also moves upward providing additional pressure for the food pouch. Once the food pouch is used and prior to the insertion of a new food pouch, the user moves the cap back down to its original location. 
     In other embodiments, there is provided a roller inside the container  100 , the roller having a slot therein. The roller is connected with at least one knob, which is placed along a track, at the side of the container  100  on the outside. When the knob is turned, the roller turns as well. The user inserts the bottom of the food pouch in the roller&#39;s slot. As the knob is turned, the roller turns, thereby rolling the food pouch from the bottom, and squeezing the food out of the food pouch. This action is similar to rolling a toothpaste tube from the bottom. 
     In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , there is provided a container  100  having phantom walls. When viewed from the outside, i.e., when the container  100  is closed, the container has a generally rectangular shape. However, on the inside, there are solid curved side walls creating spaces  702 , 704  and a solid curved bottom creating space  706 . The walls creating spaces  702 , 704  operate similarly as the side pinches  402 , described above, while the bottom creating space  706  operates similarly as the surface  214 , described above. 
     In some embodiments, the space  702 , 704  and/or bottom  706  are each independently hollow (see, for example,  FIG. 11C , below), while in other embodiments, the spaces are each independently filled. 
     In still another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , there is provided a container  100  having screwable pinches. One or more knobs  802  are placed at the side of the container  100 . Each knob is connected to a pinch  804  via a threaded spindle  806 . In some embodiments, the inward surface of the pinch  804  is flat, whereas in other embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 8 , the inner surface of the pinch  804  is curved. When the knob  802  is turned, the pinch moves inward, providing side pressure to the food pouch. Similarly, there is provided a bottom knob  808 , which is connected to a bottom pinch  810  via a threaded spindle  812 . The turning of the knob  808  causes the bottom pinch  810  to move upward, providing bottom pressure to the food pouch. Prior to inserting a new food pouch, the user turns the pinches to their original, fully open position, giving the maximum cavity space. Some embodiments comprise only side pinches  804 , while other embodiments, comprise only the bottom pinch  810 . Still other embodiments comprise one side pinch  804 , while other embodiments comprise more than two side pinches  804  and/or two or more bottom pinches  810 . 
     In some embodiments, the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  have the same proportions. In these embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG. 9A , the centerline  902  is even. However, in some embodiments, the back portion  104  is slightly larger than the front portion  102 , to provide a deeper cavity for the food pouch at the time of insertion, which makes the placement of the food pouch easier. An example of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 9B , where the centerline  904  is offset, as emphasized by the arrows  906  and  908 . The offset centerline also provides for an easier means to close the container  100  when a food pouch is installed. 
     In some embodiments, the container  100  disclosed herein comprises handles. An example of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of the container  100 , showing the front portion  102  partially separated from the back portion  104 , while  FIG. 10B  shows a front view of this embodiment of the container  100 . Handles  1002  allow the child to hold the container  100  while consuming the contents of the food pouch, without dropping the container. 
       FIG. 10A  also illustrates another embodiment of a latch, which can be used with any of the embodiments of the container  100  disclosed herein. This embodiment comprises one or more latch mechanisms, each of which is an extension  1004  pointing towards the opposite portion of the container  100 . For instance, if the extension  1004  is located on the front portion  102  of the container  100 , as shown in  FIG. 10A , then the extension  1004  points towards the back portion  104 , and vice versa. The extension  1004  comprises at least one raised member (also referred to as a lip) (not shown). The portion opposite to the one having the extension  1004 , for example the back portion  104  if the extension is on the front portion  102 , comprises one or more indents  1006 . When the front portion  102  and the back portion  104  are brought together in the closed configuration, the raised member of the extension  1004  forms a friction lock with the indent  1006 . In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 10A , the raised member and the indent  1006  are circular. In other embodiments, they comprise a different cross section, for example a line, a rectangle, a square, a triangle, or another regular or irregular geometric shape. In some embodiments, the indent is on the extension  1004  and the raised member is on the opposite portion. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A  does not have a surface  214 . Instead only the side pinches  402  alone provide the necessary contour change to the food pouch. Thus, in some embodiments, the container  100  has a surface  214  without the side pinches  402 , while in other embodiments, the container  100  has the side pinches  402  without a surface  214 , and in still other embodiments, the container  100  has both the side pinches  402  and a surface  214 . 
     While the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  shows a container  100  that has the handles  1002 , the latch mechanism having extensions  1004  and indents  1006 , and no surface  214 , the skilled artisan recognizes that any of these features can be incorporated to any of the various embodiments of the container  100  disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the container  100  of  FIG. 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 , or  12  can be made to have handles  1002 , the latch mechanism having extensions  1004  and indents  1006 , or no surface  214 . And likewise, the embodiment of  FIG. 10  can be made with no handles  1002 , a latch mechanism other than one having extensions  1004  and indents  1006 , or a surface  214 . 
       FIGS. 11A-D  show another embodiment of the container  100  disclosed herein. In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 11A , the front portion  102  is a cover, without having depth, and the back portion  104  comprises the entire depth of the container  100 . In these embodiments, the food pouch is placed within the cavity of the back portion  104  and the front portion  102  closes shut to hold the food pouch within the container  100 . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 11B  shows latches  1104  that are external to the body of the container  100 . In these embodiments, the downward distal end of the latch  1104  snaps on the reverse side of the back portion  104 , resulting in securing the front portion  102  to the back portion  104 . While this embodiment of a latch mechanism is disclosed in connection with the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , it is understood that this latch mechanism can be used with any of the presently disclosed containers  100 . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 11C  is directed to a container  100  having a cap space  1106  at the bottom of the container  100 . The cap space  1106  is a hollowed space into which the cap of the food pouch can be stored while the food pouch is opened for use. In some embodiments, for example that shown in  FIG. 11C , a nubbin  1108  is present at the center of the cap space  1106 , onto which the cap is threaded or snapped for a more secure hold. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11D , the cap space  1106  also causes a curved or raised surface  1110  to exist within the interior cavity of the container  100 , for example similar to the curved top surface of the space  706 , shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the interior of the back portion comprises only one interior cavity, the upper cavity  1112 , similar to the upper cavity  216 , above. The lower cavity is an exterior cavity and is the cap space  1106 . Thus, in some embodiments, the surface divides the back portion into an upper cavity and a lower cavity, where the lower cavity is on the exterior. 
     In some embodiments, for example the one shown in  FIG. 11A , the hinge  1102  around which the front portion  102  separates from the back portion  104  is located at a point away from an edge of the container  100 . For example, in  FIG. 11A , the hinge  1102  is located approximately ⅕ of the way up from the bottom of the container  100 . In certain embodiments, the hinge  1102  is located around the mid-section of the container  100 . 
     In certain embodiments, the hinge  202 , 1102  is on the side of the container  100 . In these embodiments, the front portion  102  opens from the opposite side of the hinge  202 , 1102 . In other embodiments, the hinge  202 , 1102  is on the back side. In some of these embodiments, when the front portion  102  separates from the back portion  104 , the bottom of the container  100  will also rotate away. 
       FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate another embodiment of the container  100 . In this embodiment, the front portion  102 , shown in  FIG. 12B , has no depth. The entire depth of the container  100  is comprised in the back portion  104 , shown in  FIG. 12C . The hinge  1202  comprises two components: the front component  1204  located at the bottom of the front portion  102 , and the back component  1206  located at the bottom front of the back portion  104 . Thus, unlike the hinge  202  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , which is located in the middle area of the bottom of the container  100 , when the container  100  is in its closed configuration, the hinge  1202  is located in the front of the bottom of the container  100 , when the container  100  is in its closed configuration. A similar configuration can be applied to any of the containers  100  disclosed herein. 
     The surface  1208  curves downward and traverses the entire width of the back portion  104 . The surface  1208  divides the interior cavity of the back portion  104  into the upper cavity  1210  and the lower cavity  1212 . Thus, while the surface  1208  acts similarly to the cantilever surface  214  of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , it is different in that the surface  1208  is connected to the sides of the back portion  104 . In some embodiments, the lower cavity  1212  is filled and the interior cavity only comprises the upper cavity  1210 . In other embodiments, the lower cavity  1212  is external. A similar configuration can be applied to any of the containers  100  disclosed herein. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12C , the top hole  206  is a semicircle defining an arc &gt;180°. However, when the front portion  102  connects with the back portion  104  to close the container  100 , the top hole  206  does not form a complete circle. Instead, the top hole  206  will comprise a straight edge formed by the front portion  102 . This configuration makes it easier for a user to install the nozzle of the food pouch since the edge of the front portion  102  guides the nozzle into the semicircular part of the top hole  206 . This configuration provides some of the advantages discussed above with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B . A similar configuration can be applied to any of the containers  100  disclosed herein. 
     The latch mechanism of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  comprises at least one extension  1214 , having at least one raised member (or lip)  1216 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the extension  1214  is on the front portion  102 , facing the back portion  104 . Other configurations, as discussed above, for example, with the extension being on the side or on the back portion, are also contemplated. A corresponding indent (not shown) on the opposite portion, for example the back portion  104 , creates a friction lock between the back portion  104  and the front portion  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the body of the container  100  comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, with a lining space therebetween. In some embodiments, the lining space is filled with air. Air is a known insulator. In these embodiments, the contents of food pouch retain their temperature for a longer period of time than if a single shell container is used. 
     In other embodiments, the lining space is filled with a heatable and/or coolable fluid, for example a liquid or a gel. The user can heat the container, for example by placing the container in a microwave oven or warm water, thereby heating the fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid has a high specific heat, and therefore, loses its heat slowly. The heated fluid can then either heat the contents of the food pouch, or help in keeping the contents of a pre-heated food pouch warm. 
     Similarly, if the fluid is coolable, or also coolable, the user can place the food pouch in a refrigerator, freezer, or cold water, thereby cooling the fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid has a high specific heat, and therefore, warms up slowly. The cooled fluid can then either cool the contents of the food pouch, or help in keeping the contents of a pre-cooled food pouch cool. In some embodiments, the fluid is freezable. 
     While in some embodiments the food pouch is first inserted into the back portion  104  first and then the front portion  102  is latched to close the container  100 , in other embodiments, the food pouch is first inserted into the front portion  102  first and then the back portion  104  is latched to close the container  100 .