U.S. patent application number 14/354242 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL MILLS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is GENERAL MILLS, INC.. Invention is credited to Anthony W. Swenson, Neil E. Zaporski.
Application Number | 20140353336 14/354242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48168557 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140353336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zaporski; Neil E. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
DISPENSER
Abstract
A dispensing package including an extrudable flowable content an
enclosed space is defined at least in part by a flexible packaging
film sealed at first and second ends and along a longitudinal
extent there between. The package includes a nick configured for
enabling at least a partial tear through at least a portion of the
package's surface. The flowable content of the package can be
extruded through at least a portion of the tear. A method of using
the dispensing package is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Zaporski; Neil E.; (South
Burlington, VT) ; Swenson; Anthony W.; (Blaine,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENERAL MILLS, INC. |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
Minneapolis
MN
|
Family ID: |
48168557 |
Appl. No.: |
14/354242 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
October 26, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/062146 |
371 Date: |
April 25, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61552487 |
Oct 28, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/107 ;
222/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/585 20130101;
B65D 37/00 20130101; B65D 85/72 20130101; B65D 75/5827
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/107 ;
222/541.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 85/72 20060101 B65D085/72; B65D 37/00 20060101
B65D037/00 |
Claims
1. A package comprising an enclosed space defined at least in part
by a flexible packaging film sealed at a first end, a second end,
and along a longitudinal extent between said first and said second
ends; a pinch seal on a surface of said package; and a nick in said
pinch seal.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein said nick is configured for
enabling at least a partial tear in at least a portion of said
surface.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein said longitudinally extending
seal arrests propagation of said tear.
4. The package of claim 2, wherein said tear defines adjacent first
and second openings in said package.
5. The package of claim 2, wherein said package includes a flowable
content extrudable through at least a portion of said tear.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein said flowable content is
selected from the group consisting of liquids, viscous fluids,
semi-solid mixtures, batter, gel, solid edible particles,
semi-solid edible particles, and any combination thereof.
7. The package of claim 2, wherein said nick is offset from said
longitudinally extending seal.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein said flexible packaging film
comprises a thermoplastic material.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein each of said first and said
second end is transversely sealed.
10. A method of dispensing a flowable content of a package, said
method comprising grasping adjacent sides of a nick in a pinch seal
on a surface of said package; pulling apart said adjacent sides of
said nick to at least partially tear at least a portion of said
surface; and extruding said flowable content through at least a
portion of said tear.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said pinch seal is offset from
a longitudinally extending seal on said surface.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising arresting said tear
at said longitudinally extending seal.
13. The method of claim 10, comprising extruding said flowable
content through a first and a second opening created by said
tear.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein extruding said flowable content
comprises pushing said flowable content towards said tear.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein said flowable content is
selected from the group consisting of liquids, viscous fluids,
semi-solid mixtures, batter, gel, solid edible particles,
semi-solid edible particles, and any combination thereof.
16. A package comprising an interior volume defined by a surface
formed of a flexible packaging film; a longitudinal seal extending
along at least a portion of said surface; a pinch seal on said
surface; and a nick in said pinch seal.
17. The package of claim 16, wherein said nick is in a transverse
relationship to said longitudinal seal.
18. The package of claim 17, wherein said nick is configured for
enabling at least a partial tear in at least a portion of said
surface.
19. The package of claim 18, wherein said longitudinal seal arrests
propagation of said tear.
20. The package of claim 18, wherein said package includes a
flowable content selected from the group consisting of liquids,
viscous fluids, semi-solid mixtures, batter, gel, solid edible
particles, semi-solid edible particles, and any combination thereof
extruded through at least a portion of said tear.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. 119(e)(1) of a provisional patent application, Ser. No.
61/552,487, filed Oct. 28, 2011, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entity.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a food dispenser. In
particular, the invention pertains to a disposable flexible package
for dispensing fluid there from.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Businesses in the hospitality industry that provide
accommodations generally also provide food services in addition to
lodging. In many instances, the food service includes a
self-catering breakfast facility stocked with generally known
breakfast food items such as cereal, breads, coffee, milk, etc. In
some instances, the self-catering breakfast facility includes means
for preparing waffle and/or pancakes for which the batter is
generally prepared in bulk in advance and stored until requested by
a patron. Upon request, batter in an amount specifically sized for
a single serving is provided in a package. Alternatively, a number
of pre-filled single-serve packages may be set out. This process
tends to be prone to spills, and messy because of drips from
dispensing batter to and/or from the package. Additionally, the
unused batter generally cannot be stored for an extended period of
time and therefore has to be thrown away leading to waste and an
increase in operating costs for the business.
[0004] Accordingly, there exists a need for a sealed package
enclosing therewithin a single serving of a food item, such as
batter for waffle and/or pancakes.
SUMMARY
[0005] An embodiment of a dispensing package includes an enclosed
space defined at least in part by a flexible packaging film with
sealed first and second ends and a longitudinal seal extending
between the first and second sealed ends. In some embodiments of
the package, the first and the second ends are transversely sealed.
In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the flexible packaging film
includes a thermoplastic material. The surface of the package
includes a pinch seal, wherein the pinch seal includes a nick
configured for enabling at least a partial tear in at least a
portion of the package's surface. The nick is offset from the
longitudinal seal such that the propagation and the extent of the
tear is arrested by the longitudinal seal. In some embodiments of
the package, the nick and the longitudinal seal are in a transverse
relationship relative to one another. The partial tearing of the
surface defines adjacent first and second in the package. In some
embodiments, the package includes a flowable content that is
extrudable through at least a portion of the tear. In a
non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the flowable content is selected
from the group consisting of liquids, viscous fluids, semi-solid
mixtures, batter, gel, solid edible particles, semi-solid edible
particles, and any combination thereof.
[0006] A method of dispensing the flowable content of an embodiment
of the package includes grasping adjacent sides of the nick in the
pinch seal and pulling them apart to, at least partially, tear at
least a portion of the surface of the package. In some embodiments,
the pinch seal is offset from a longitudinally extending seal. In
certain embodiments, the propagation and the extent of the tear is
arrested by the longitudinally extending seal. As such, the tear
defines adjacent first and second openings for extruding the
flowable content of the package. Accordingly, the method includes
extruding the flowable content of the package through at least a
portion of the tear. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment,
extruding the flowable content of the package includes pushing the
flowable content towards the tear. In a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment, the flowable content is selected from the group
consisting of liquids, viscous fluids, semi-solid mixtures, batter,
gel, solid edible particles, semi-solid edible particles, and any
combination thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a side view of a package in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of the package when viewed
from a side opposite that shown in FIG. 1A;
[0009] FIG. 1C is an end view of the package illustrated in FIGS.
1A and 1B; and
[0010] FIG. 2 shows the package of FIGS. 1A-1C after a surface
thereof has been torn open.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] While multiple embodiments of the instant invention are
disclosed, alternate embodiments may become apparent to those
skilled in the art. The following detailed description describes
only illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by
like numerals. It should be clearly understood that there is no
intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the invention in any form or
manner to that described herein. As such, all alternatives are
considered as falling within the spirit, scope and intent of the
instant invention.
[0012] FIGS. 1A-1C show side views and an end view of package 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. While package
100 is illustrated in the figures as having an elongated shape,
alternate shapes such as cuboid, conical, etc., are considered as
being within the metes and bounds of the instant invention. Package
100 comprises transversely sealed first and second ends 102 and
104, respectively, and longitudinal seal 106 along surface 108
extending between first and second ends 102 and 104 of package 100.
As such, these seals operate to enclose and seal a content within
package 100. In an embodiment of the invention, longitudinal seal
106 is either a fin seal or a lap seal.
[0013] Surface 108 of package 100 includes pinch seal 110 with nick
112 in pinch seal 110. In an embodiment of the invention, pinch
seal 110 and nick 112 are configured such that grasping and pulling
apart adjacent sides 114 and 116 of nick 112 in pinch seal 110
causes a tear in at least a portion of surface 108 starting from
nick 112. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the tear in surface 108 will
propagate on both (or opposite) sides of pinch seal 110 and is
generally represented by the dashed lines indicated by numerals 118
and 120. Also as shown in FIG. 1A, when the tear, represented by
dashed line 118 reaches location 122 proximate longitudinal seal
106, further propagation of the tear will be arrested (e.g.,
limited, stopped, inhibited) by longitudinal seal 106. Accordingly,
the tear represented by dashed line 120 will also stop. As such,
the tear extending along surface 108 on both (or opposite) sides of
pinch seal 110, for example generally along dashed lines 118 and
120, will essentially be of equal length. In accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, the tear in surface 108 will generally
be in a transverse direction and essentially orthogonal to
longitudinal seal 106.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of package 100 after surface 108
has been torn by grasping and pulling apart adjacent sides 114 and
116 of nick 112 in pinch seal 110. As shown, pinch seal 110 is torn
into sections 110A and 110B and the tear, generally along dashed
lines 118 and 120, creates adjacent first and second openings 202
and 204 in package 100. The contents of package 100 are extruded,
or emptied out, through first and second openings 202 and 204. In
an embodiment of the invention, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2,
package 100 is folded at the tear before the contents thereof are
extruded. In an alternate embodiment, the contents are extruded
after package 100 is completely folded onto itself such that
surfaces 108 on both sides of the tear are in contact.
[0015] The oval shapes of first and second openings 202 and 204
should not be construed as implying that package 100 is of a
particular geometrical shape. On the contrary, package 100 is of
any geometric shape. In an embodiment of the invention, package 100
is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally circular or oval
cross-section.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the
content of package 100 is flowable including one or more of a
liquid, a viscous fluid, a semi-solid mixture, batter, gel, or any
combinations and/or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment,
package 100 contains a single serving of a food item such as batter
for a waffle or a pancake. In alternate embodiments, the flowable
content of package 100 includes solid or semi-solid food particles
or pieces, such as, nuts, fruit, chocolate, etc.
[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the contents of package
100 extrude naturally through first and second openings 202 and
204. In an alternate embodiment, the contents extrude or pour out
under the influence of gravity, particularly when first and second
openings 202 and 204 do not face up. In another embodiment, the
contents extrude through first and second openings 202 and 204
under the influence of pressure (or force) applied at and extending
from sealed first and second ends 102 and 104 to first and second
openings 202 and 204, respectively. In yet another embodiment of
the invention, the pressure for extruding the contents of package
100 is applied after package 100 is folded at the tear. In
accordance with one such embodiment, package 100 is first
completely folded onto itself such that surfaces 108 on both sides
of the tear are in contact and the contents are then extruded by
applying the pressure.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, pinch seal 110 and
longitudinal seal 106 on surface 108 of package 100 are angularly
offset from each other such that first and second openings 202 and
204 created by the tear in surface 108 are of sufficient size to
ease, and not hinder, the extrusion or flow of the content from
package 100. By way of example, the embodiments in FIGS. 1A-2 are
shown having a generally circular or oval cross-section and the
figures illustrate pinch seal 110 and longitudinal seal 106 having
an angular offset of approximately 90.degree. relative to each
other. Accordingly, the tear in surface 108 may be seen as an arc
of approximately 180.degree. with the tear extending a distance of
approximately one-half the perimeter of surface 108. In an
alternate embodiment, pinch seal 110 and longitudinal seal 106 have
an angular offset greater than or less than 90.degree. relative to
each other. Accordingly, the size of first and second openings 202
and 204 is dependent on the angular offset between pinch seal 110
and longitudinal seal 106. As will be apparent, the size of first
and second openings 202 and 204 increases with an increase in the
angular offset between pinch seal 110 and longitudinal seal
106.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, package
100 and surface 108 thereof is flexible. As such, package 100 is
manufactured using a flexible packaging film. In some embodiments
of the invention, various types of thermoplastic materials are used
in sheet form as the flexible packaging film. Such material include
thermoplastic film known to those skilled in the art to be suitable
for packaging consumables, e.g., polyethylene, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene (LDPE),
polypropylene, polyester, polylactic acid, and layered combinations
thereof providing a multi-layered laminate. Whether provided as a
single film or as a multi-layered laminate, the flexible packaging
film in some embodiments may further be provided with a protective
or oxygen barrier layer, such as a metallic or metal oxide barrier
layer to help preserve the quality of food products in packages or
to prevent or reduce corrosive interaction between the packaging
film layer and the food product over the shelf-life of the
product.
Various modifications and additions may be made to the exemplary
embodiments described hereinabove without departing from the scope,
intent and spirit of the instant invention. For example, while the
disclosed embodiments refer to particular features, the scope of
the instant invention is considered to also include embodiments
having various combinations of features different from and/or in
addition to those described hereinabove. Accordingly, the present
invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and
variations as within the scope, intent and spirit of the appended
claims, including all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *