Storing and dispensing container for product

Abstract

A storing and dispensing container for product. The container includes a flexible pouch for storing product. A flip top, having a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, is affixed to an outer surface of the pouch at the top portion of the pouch. The flange surrounds an interior region. The interior region includes a removable portion which can be removed to reveal a dispensing orifice. The interior region defines an interior region area. The removable portion area is no greater than 80% of the interior region area, and the removable portion abuts the flange at a tear apex.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storing and dispensing container for product, the container comprising:
 a flexible pouch for storing product, the pouch comprising a bottom portion with side portions adjoined to the bottom portion and each side portion adjoined to an adjacent side portion and the side portions extending away from the bottom portion, the side portions also adjoined to a top portion with the top portion overlying the bottom portion and being generally parallel to the bottom portion, and the top portion including a removable portion which seals the product within the pouch in a first condition and which allows access to the product within the pouch in a second condition, the removable portion defining a perimeter and having a removable portion area; and   a rigid flip top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange being affixed to an outer surface of the pouch at the top portion of the pouch such that the rigid flip top overlies the removable portion of the pouch and the removable portion is surrounded by the flange at the outer surface of the pouch,   the flange defining an interior region through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened and the lid being removably positionable to be closed to engage the flange and thereby seal the pouch at the outer surface where the removable portion is surrounded by the flange, the interior region having an interior region length, an interior region width, and an interior region area, the interior region containing the removable portion and a non-removable portion,   wherein the removable portion area is no greater than 80% of the interior region area, and wherein the removable portion abuts the flange at a tear apex.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable portion area is no greater than 70% of the interior region area. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the removable portion area is no greater than 70% and no less than 30% of the interior region area. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of the removable portion area is located on one side of a bisecting line that extends parallel to the interior region width at a midpoint of the interior region length. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 70% of the removable portion area is located on one side of a bisecting line that extends parallel to the interior region width at a midpoint of the interior region length. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 80% of the removable portion area is located on one side of a bisecting line that extends parallel to the interior region width at a midpoint of the interior region length. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 30% of the perimeter of the removable portion abuts the flange. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the perimeter of the removable portion abuts the flange. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein at least 25% of the perimeter of the removable portion does not abut the flange. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least 25% of the perimeter of the removable portion does not abut the flange. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein printed opening-instructional graphics are disposed on the outer surface in the interior region, the instructional graphics comprising a first instructional graphic disposed on the non-removable portion and a second instructional graphic disposed on the removable portion. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the first instructional graphic communicates a first opening step and wherein the second instructional graphic communicates a second opening step such that the first opening step is adapted to occur before the second opening step. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the first instructional graphic comprises an arrow pointed at the removable portion, wherein the first instructional graphic instructs a user to press the removable portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the second instructional graphic comprises an arrow pointed at the apex, wherein the second instructional graphic instructs a user to pull the removable portion toward the tear apex. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the second instructional graphic comprises an arrow pointed at the apex, wherein the second instructional graphic instructs a user to pull the removable portion toward the tear apex. 
     
     
         16 . A storing and dispensing container for product, the container comprising:
 a flexible pouch for storing product, the pouch comprising a bottom portion with side portions adjoined to the bottom portion and each side portion adjoined to an adjacent side portion and the side portions extending away from the bottom portion, the side portions also adjoined to a top portion with the top portion overlying the bottom portion and being generally parallel to the bottom portion, and the top portion including a removable portion which seals the product within the pouch in a first condition and which allows access to the product within the pouch in a second condition, the removable portion defining a perimeter and having a removable portion area; and   a flip top comprising a lid connected to a flange by a hinge, the flange being affixed to an outer surface of the pouch at the top portion of the pouch such that the flip top overlies the removable portion of the pouch and the removable portion is surrounded by the flange at the outer surface of the pouch,   the flange defining an interior region through which the product can be dispensed when the lid is opened and the lid being removably positionable to be closed to engage the flange and thereby seal the pouch at the outer surface where the removable portion is surrounded by the flange, the interior region having an interior region length, an interior region width, and an interior region area, the interior region containing the removable portion and a non-removable portion,   wherein the removable portion area is no greater than 80% of the interior region area, and wherein the removable portion abuts the flange at a tear apex.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the removable portion area is no greater than 70% and no less than 30% of the interior region area. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein at least 80% of the removable portion area is located on one side of a bisecting line that extends parallel to the interior region width at a midpoint of the interior region length. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein printed opening-instructional graphics are disposed on the outer surface in the interior region, the instructional graphics comprising a first instructional graphic disposed on the non-removable portion and a second instructional graphic disposed on the removable portion, wherein the first instructional graphic communicates a first opening step and wherein the second instructional graphic communicates a second opening step such that the first opening step is adapted to occur before the second opening step, wherein the first instructional graphic comprises an arrow pointed at the removable portion, wherein the first instructional graphic instructs a user to press the removable portion, wherein the second instructional graphic comprises an arrow pointed at the apex, wherein the second instructional graphic instructs a user to pull the removable portion toward the tear apex. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the lid is rigid and the flange is rigid.