Retort pouch with internal drain system

Abstract

The retort pouch includes an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein. A first tear strip is configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity. A drain element is located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity. The drain element is positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A retort pouch, comprising:
 an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein;   a first tear strip configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity; and   a drain element located within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity, the drain element positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The retort pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the drain element includes a mesh structure for draining the excess liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The retort pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the drain element is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         4 . The retort pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the retort pouch is hermetically sealed by the outer seal. 
     
     
         5 . The retort pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the retort pouch is formed from a microwavable material. 
     
     
         6 . The retort pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a re-sealable seal disposed between the first tear strip and a bottom gusset of the retort pouch to close the generated opening to seal the inner cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The retort pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the retort pouch is formed of a material suitable to receive a food substance for retorting. 
     
     
         8 . The retort pouch of  claim 1  further comprising a second tear strip configured to remove the drain element from the retort pouch. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a retort pouch, the method comprising:
 forming an inner cavity located within an outer seal and comprising a volume configured to receive a substance therein;   forming a first tear strip configured to generate an opening in the outer seal to expose the inner cavity; and   locating a drain element within and attached to a surface of the inner cavity, the drain element positioned within the generated opening to allow a user to drain liquid from the inner cavity while retaining the substance in the inner cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the drain includes a mesh structure for draining the excess liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the drain is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the retort pouch is hermetically sealed by the outer seal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the retort pouch is formed from a microwavable material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 disposing a re-sealable seal disposed between the first tear strip and a bottom gusset of the retort pouch to close the generated opening to seal the inner cavity. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the retort pouch is formed of a material suitable to receive a food substance. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 forming a second tear strip configured to remove the drain element from the retort pouch.