Pouch, method of manufacturing a pouch and a method of dispensing a product from a pouch

Abstract

A single-use pouch ( 10 ) for liquid product has a front panel ( 12 ) and a back panel ( 14 ). The front and back panels at least in part cooperatively define an interior space ( 15 ) of the pouch. The interior space has a total liquid capacity. A volume of liquid product is contained within the interior space. The volume of liquid product is less than about 60% of the total liquid capacity of the pouch.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A single-use pouch comprising:
 a web folded to form a pouch having a front panel, a back panel, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, wherein the top edge, the bottom edge and one of the two side edges are sealed, the other of the two side edges is a fold line, and the front panel and the back panel define an interior space; and
 a liquid product contained in the interior space; 
 wherein the interior space includes a body and a spout, one side of the spout defined by the fold line, and the spout in fluid communication with the body and through which the product is dispensed from the pouch. 
   
     
     
         17 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the fold line acts as a channel to guide liquid product from the body towards an opening at the end of the spout. 
     
     
         18 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein a width of the pouch is at least three times a width of the spout. 
     
     
         19 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the interior space includes a transition portion connecting the spout and the body, wherein the transition portion defines a travel path for the liquid product, and the travel path is at an angle to the fold line. 
     
     
         20 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein at least one of the front panel and the rear panel includes a line of weakness positioned between the top edge and the body, and in a path transverse to the spout. 
     
     
         21 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  further comprising a gripping portion positioned between the top edge and the body. 
     
     
         22 . The single-use pouch of  claim 21  wherein the gripping portion includes a portion of the front panel sealed to a portion of the back panel. 
     
     
         23 . The single-use pouch of  claim 22  wherein at least one of the front panel and the rear panel includes a line of weakness positioned entirely within the gripping portion. 
     
     
         24 . The single-use pouch of  claim 21  wherein the gripping portion defines a side of the spout opposite the fold line. 
     
     
         25 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the liquid product is aseptically processed. 
     
     
         26 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the liquid product is a human milk fortifier. 
     
     
         27 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the liquid product is manually kneadable within the interior space. 
     
     
         28 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the liquid product is visible through at least one of the front panel and the back panel. 
     
     
         29 . The single-use pouch of  claim 28  wherein indicia is printed on the front panel and the back panel, and at least the majority of at least one of the front panel and the back panel is transparent. 
     
     
         30 . The single-use pouch of  claim 16  wherein the web is a multi-layer plastic laminate. 
     
     
         31 . A single-use pouch comprising:
 a multi-layer plastic sheet folded to form a pouch having a front panel, a back panel, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, wherein the top edge, the bottom edge and one of the two side edges are sealed, the other of the two side edges is a fold line, and the front panel and the back panel define an interior space; and
 an aseptically processed liquid product contained in the interior space; 
 wherein the interior space includes a body and a spout, one side of the spout defined by the fold line, and the spout in fluid communication with the body, wherein the fold line acts as a channel to guide liquid product from the body towards an opposite end of the spout. 
   
     
     
         32 . The single-use pouch of  claim 31  wherein at least one of the front panel and the rear panel includes a line of weakness positioned between the top edge and the body, and in a path transverse to the spout. 
     
     
         33 . The single-use pouch of  claim 31  wherein the line of weakness is positioned remotely from the spout. 
     
     
         34 . The single-use pouch of  claim 31  further comprising a gripping portion positioned between the top edge and the body, the gripping portion including a portion of the front panel sealed to a portion of the back panel. 
     
     
         35 . The single-use pouch of  claim 34  wherein the gripping portion defines a side of the spout opposite the fold line.