Food pouch container

Abstract

A rigid food pouch container developed to accommodate prepared food packaged in soft containers is designed to prevent a child from squeezing the container and causing its contents to spurt from the container. The food pouch container includes a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; and a surface dividing the back portion into an upper cavity 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 that include a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; means for contouring the food pouch from the bottom or side of the pouch. Some embodiments include a hinged clam shell configuration for easy insertion and removal of the food pouch. Other embodiments include a storage facility for the pouch cap.

1 . A reusable container in combination with a removable food pouch, said pouch having a hollow neck extending outwardly from said pouch, a mouthpiece portion disposed at a distal end of said neck, the container comprising:
 a body having an interior cavity, said interior cavity being sized and shaped to surround the pouch and sized for nesting of the pouch inside the interior cavity;   the body having an opening for the mouthpiece to protrude outside the body, said opening being sized and shaped to fit closely about said hollow neck of said food pouch without constricting said hollow neck;   a back portion;   and at least one front portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises at least one latch configured to releasably lock the back portion and at least one front portion together when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body contours the food pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the opening fits closely around the entire perimeter of the neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the opening fits closely around only a portion of the perimeter of the neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one side pinch. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a surface that divides the interior cavity of the body into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. 
     
     
         10 . A reusable container in combination with a removable food pouch, said pouch having a hollow neck extending outwardly from said pouch, a mouthpiece portion disposed at a distal end of said neck, the container comprising:
 a body having an interior cavity, said interior cavity being sized and shaped to surround the pouch and sized for nesting of the pouch inside the interior cavity;   the body having a base, walls extending upwardly from the base, and a top portion;   said top portion having an opening for the mouthpiece to protrude outside the body;   the opening being sized and shaped to fit closely about said hollow neck of said food pouch without constricting said hollow neck.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the top portion can be attached to at least one wall via a snap-fit connection, friction fit, or compression fit. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the container further comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the container further comprises at least one latch configured to releasably lock the top portion to at least one wall when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the body contours the food pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the opening fits closely around the entire perimeter of the neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the opening fits closely around only a portion of the perimeter of the neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a surface that divides the interior cavity of the body into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. 
     
     
         19 . A reusable container in combination with a removable food pouch, said pouch having a hollow neck extending outwardly from said pouch, a mouthpiece portion disposed at a distal end of said neck, the container comprising:
 a body having an interior cavity, said interior cavity being sized and shaped to surround the pouch and sized for nesting of the pouch inside the interior cavity;   the body having a base, walls extending upwardly from the base, and a top portion;   said top portion having an opening;   said opening being sized and shaped to fit closely about said hollow neck of said food pouch without constricting said hollow neck;   said opening fitting closely around at least a portion of the perimeter of said hollow neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration;   said top portion being attached to at least one wall;   and at least one handle.   
     
     
         20 . A reusable container in combination with a removable food pouch, said pouch having a hollow neck extending outwardly from said pouch, a mouthpiece portion disposed at a distal end of said neck, the container comprising:
 a body having an interior cavity, said interior cavity being sized and shaped to surround the pouch and sized for nesting of the pouch inside the interior cavity;   the body having a base, walls extending upwardly from the base, and a top portion;   said top portion having an opening;   said opening being sized and shaped to fit closely about said hollow neck of said food pouch without constricting said hollow neck;   said opening fitting closely around at least a portion of the perimeter of said hollow neck of the food pouch when the container is in a closed configuration;   where the top portion can be releasably attached to at least one wall via a snap-fit connection, friction fit, or compression fit.