Container for holding flexible bag

Abstract

A container for dispensing a beverage includes a top panel, a left panel coupled to the top panel, a right panel coupled to the top panel and opposite the left panel, a first bottom panel coupled to the left panel, the first bottom panel including a first opening, a second bottom panel coupled to the right panel and overlaying the first bottom panel, the second bottom panel including a second opening coincident with the first opening to form at least a portion of a container opening, a front panel coupled to either the left of right panel and a support panel coupled to the front panel and disposed against either the first or second bottom panel.

1 . A blank that can be used to construct a container for a liquid-filled pouch, the blank comprising:
 a top panel;   a left panel foldably connected to the top panel;   a right panel foldably connected to the top panel;   a first bottom panel foldably connected to the left panel, the first bottom panel including a first opening;   a second bottom panel foldably connected to the right panel, the second bottom panel including a second opening, wherein the first bottom panel can be overlaid on the second bottom panel such that the first opening is coincident with the second opening to define at least a portion of a container opening;   a front panel foldably connected to either the right panel or the left panel; and   a support panel foldably coupled to the front panel, wherein the support panel is disposable against either the first or second bottom panel.   
   
   
       2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the blank is constructed of a plurality of layers. 
   
   
       3 . The blank of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of layers include at least one layer of paperboard and at least one polyethylene coating. 
   
   
       4 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is an arched opening defining a first pair of legs extending downwardly, and the second opening is an arched opening defining a second pair of legs extending downwardly. 
   
   
       5 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the support panel is disposable against either the first pair of legs or the second pair of legs. 
   
   
       6 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the support panel has a end, wherein when the support panel is disposed on either the first or second bottom panel, the end of the support panel and the arched openings of the first and second bottom panels define the container opening. 
   
   
       7 . The blank of  claim 6 , wherein the end of the support panel is curved. 
   
   
       8 . The blank of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening flap foldably connected to the front panel. 
   
   
       9 . A container for a dispensing a beverage, comprising:
 a top panel;   a left panel coupled to the top panel;   a right panel coupled to the top panel and opposite the left panel;   a first bottom panel coupled to the left panel, the first bottom panel including a first opening;   a second bottom panel coupled to the right panel and overlaying the first bottom panel, the second bottom panel including a second opening coincident with the first opening to form at least a portion of a container opening;   a front panel coupled to either the right or left panel; and   a support panel coupled to the front panel and disposed against either the first or second bottom panel.   
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the first opening is an arched opening defining a first pair of legs extending downwardly, and the second opening is an arched opening defining a second pair of legs extending downwardly. 
   
   
       11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the support panel is disposed against either the first pair of legs or the second pair of legs. 
   
   
       12 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the support panel has a end, the end of the support panel and the arched openings of the first and second bottom panels define the container opening. 
   
   
       13 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the end of the support panel is curved. 
   
   
       14 . The blank of  claim 9 , further comprising a fastening flap foldably connected to the front panel. 
   
   
       15 . An assembly for dispensing a beverage or food, comprising:
 a flexible pouch;   a spout extending out from the flexible pouch, the spout including a first flange and a second flange spaced from the first flange to define a receiving area; and   a container including a top panel, a left panel coupled to the top panel, a right panel coupled to the top panel and opposite the left panel, a first bottom panel coupled to the left panel, the first bottom panel including a first opening defining a first inner edge, a second bottom panel coupled to the right panel and overlaying the first bottom panel, the second bottom panel including a second opening defining a second inner edge and being coincident with the first opening to form at least a portion of a container opening, a front panel coupled to either the left or right panel, and a support panel coupled to the front panel and disposed against either the first or second bottom panel;   wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge of the container opening are disposed in the receiving area of the spout.   
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the first opening is an arched opening defining a first pair of legs extending downwardly, and the second opening is an arched opening defining a second pair of legs extending downwardly. 
   
   
       17 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein the support panel is disposed against either the first pair of legs or the second pair of legs. 
   
   
       18 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein the support panel has a end, the end of the support panel and the arched openings of the first and second bottom panels define the container opening. 
   
   
       19 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the end of the support panel is curved. 
   
   
       20 . A blank that can be used to construct a container for a liquid-filled pouch, the blank comprising:
 a top panel;   a left panel foldably connected to the top panel;   a right panel foldably connected to the top panel;   a first bottom panel foldably connected to the left panel, the first bottom panel including a first arched opening; and   a second bottom panel foldably connected to the right panel, the second bottom panel including a second arched opening, wherein the first bottom panel can be overlaid on the second bottom panel such that the first arched opening is coincident with the second arched opening to define at least a portion of a container opening;   wherein the blank is constructed of a plurality of layers including at least one layer of paperboard and at least one polyethylene coating.