Dispensing pouch assemblies

Abstract

A dispensing pouch assembly includes a pouch defining an volume and forming a circular opening into the volume, the circular opening having a wall and an inwardly protruding retaining lip thereon with sealing faces on the bottom and top surfaces thereof. A nozzle assembly removably engaged with the pouch includes a nozzle having a port extending from a top to a bottom end. A radial flange extends from the bottom end and includes a peripheral portion engaging the bottom surface of the retaining lip. A gasket encircles the nozzle with a peripheral portion of the lower face thereof engaging the top surface of the retaining lip. A retaining collar engaged with the nozzle urges the gasket and the radial flange, respectively, against the retaining lip sealing faces in a fluid-tight fit, permitting exit of flowable contents in the volume only through the port. Optionally, a cap fits on the nozzle.

1 . A dispensing pouch assembly, comprising:
 a flexible and distensible pouch having a pair of opposed panels connected at the respective bottom and opposing side edges thereof to define an interior volume, with the top edges of the panels forming a circular opening into the interior volume and opposing shoulders disposed to either side of the circular opening and extending to the side edges of the panels, with the circular opening defined by a peripheral wall and an inwardly-protruding retaining lip disposed at the top end thereof, the retaining lip having a first sealing face on the bottom surface thereof and a second sealing face on the top surface thereof;   a nozzle assembly including:
 a nozzle having a top end, a bottom end, and an interior port formed therethrough, the bottom end having a radial flange disposed in the circular opening with a peripheral upper edge portion of the radial flange engaged with the first sealing face in a fluid-tight fit; 
 a gasket encircling the nozzle and having an upper and a lower face, with a peripheral portion of the lower face engaged with the second sealing face in a fluid-tight fit; and 
 a retaining collar engaged in an interference fit with the nozzle adapted to urge the gasket and the radial flange, respectively, against the first and second sealing faces; 
   wherein the nozzle assembly is adapted to permit exit of flowable contents disposed in the interior volume only through the port.   
     
     
         2 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is selectively removable from the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle assembly is selectively removable from the pouch by means of distending the circular opening to release the radial flange therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle assembly is adapted to prevent distension of the circular opening while the gasket and radial flange are engaged with the first and second sealing faces. 
     
     
         5 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interference fit of the retaining collar with the nozzle is adapted to permit selective adjustment of the position of the retaining collar on the nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the nozzle includes exterior threads and the retaining collar includes corresponding interior threads, and wherein the interference fit is accomplished by rotational engagement of the respective threads. 
     
     
         7 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the interference fit of the retaining collar with the nozzle is adapted to permit selective removal of the retaining collar from the nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , further including a cap removably engageable with the nozzle and adapted, when engaged with the nozzle, to prevent exit of flowable contents through the port. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein cap is engageable with the nozzle in a friction fit. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein cap is engageable with the nozzle in a threaded fit. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the cap configuration and the cap exterior surface is shaped or textured to facilitate removal. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , further including a straw removably engageablewith at least the bottom portion of the port and adapted, when engaged therewith, to extend toward the bottom edges of the interior volume of the pouch. 
     
     
         13 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1  wherein the pouch is formed in one piece. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein pouch is formed from silicone. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing pouch asseMbly of  claim 1 , wherein the circular opening has a diameter sized to accommodate a standard soup spoon. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing pouch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the diameter of port at the top end of the nozzle to the diameter of the circular opening is within a range of 1:4 to 1:10. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing pouch assembly of clam  16 , wherein the ratio of the diameter of the port at the top end of the nozzle to the diameter of the circular opening is within a range of 1:6 to 1:8. 
     
     
         18 . A nozzle assembly for use with a container having a circular opening defined by a peripheral wall and an inwardly-protruding retaining lip disposed thereon, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 a nozzle having a top end, a bottom end, and a port formed therethrough, the bottom end having a radial flange configured to he disposed within the circular opening with a peripheral upper edge portion of the radial flange engaged with a bottom surface of the retaining lip;   a gasket encircling the nozzle and having an upper and a lower face, with a peripheral portion of the lower face configured to engage a top surface of the retaining lip;   a retaining collar threadedly engaged in a rotational interference fit with the nozzle adapted to urge the gasket and the radial flange, respectively, against the bottom and top surfaces of the retaining lip;   wherein the nozzle assembly is adapted to permit exit of contents disposed in the container volume only through the port.   
     
     
         19 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the radial flange and gasket are adapted to engage the bottom and top surfaces of the retaining lip, respectively, in a fluid-tight fit. 
     
     
         20 . A dispensing pouch assembly, comprising:
 a flexible and distensible pouch defining an interior volume and a circular opening into the interior volume, the circular opening having a first diameter and including an inwardly-protruding retaining lip having upper and lower surfaces;   a nozzle defining an interior port extending from a bottom end to a top end thereof, the interior port having a second diameter, and the bottom end having a radial flange extending from the port to engage the lower surface of the retaining lip;   a gasket encircling the nozzle and having an upper face and a lower face, with the lower face engaged with the top surface of the retaining lip;   a retaining collar threadedly engaged in a rotational interference fit with the exterior surface of the nozzle, the retaining collar abutting the upper face of the gasket, the rotational interference fit adapted to bias the gasket downward while biasing the radial flange upward against the lower surface of the retaining lip;   wherein the ratio of the second diameter to the first diameter is within a range of 1:6 to 1:8: