Package

Abstract

A package to facilitate the use of squeeze bottles and other dispensers, particularly in the food service industry. The invention is directed to, in particular, a combined bottle pouch and food product, which includes a pouch having a peelable primary seal area and lines of weakness for ready opening of the pouch. The lines of weakness, or other area(s) of weakness, can be formed in a flap or membrane, which together with the area of weakness forms a secondary seal for the pouch. The flap or membrane is preferably sealed to the walls of the pouch. Preferably, the combined pouch and food product also includes a bottle closure. The product of the invention facilitates the use of squeeze bottles for products such as mayonnaise and other dressings in food service by permitting sale of a combined bottle pouch and food product to the busy eating establishment. The eating establishment can simply insert the pouch into the squeeze bottle or other dispenser, open the primary seal on the pouch, and fasten a bottle closure onto the squeeze bottle. The squeeze bottle is then ready to dispense the product.

1 . A fillable pouch for a bottle, which pouch comprises:
 (a) at least one pouch wall,   (b) a bottom end at the bottom of said at least one wall,   (c) an upper end at the top of said wall,   (d) said upper end including a membrane closing said end,   (e) said membrane including weakened portions to facilitate opening,   (f) said wall or walls including opposed extensions extending above said closure flap,   (g) said extensions being releasably adhered to each other,   (h) said bottom end being open to permit filling of said pouch therethrough.   
   
   
       2 . The pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said weakened portions is a line of weakness. 
   
   
       3 . The pouch according to  claim 1  formed from an extruded film. 
   
   
       4 . The pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said pouch comprises a front wall and an opposed rear wall, said walls being sealed along opposed side edges. 
   
   
       5 . The pouch according to  claim 4  wherein said closing flap is permanently adhered to said front wall and said rear wall to seal the upper end of said pouch. 
   
   
       6 . The pouch according to  claim 5  wherein said closing membrane includes a gusset. 
   
   
       7 . A pouch for a bottle, which pouch comprises:
 (a) at least one pouch wall,   (b) a bottom end at the bottom of said at least one wall,   (c) an upper end at the top of said wall,   (d) said upper end including a membrane closing said end,   (e) said membrane including weakened portions to facilitate opening,   (f) said wall or walls including opposed extensions extending above said closure membrane,   (g) said extensions being releasably adhered to each other,   (h) said bottom end being sealed.   
   
   
       8 . The pouch of  claim 7  wherein said bottom end is sealed along a bottom edge of said bottom end and said pouch further includes at least one oblique seal extending obliquely from said bottom end to a side of said pouch. 
   
   
       9 . The pouch according to  claim 7  wherein said weakened portions is a line of weakness. 
   
   
       10 . The pouch according to  claim 7  formed from an extruded film. 
   
   
       11 . The pouch according to  claim 7  wherein said pouch comprises a front wall and an opposed rear wall, said walls being sealed along opposed side edges. 
   
   
       12 . The pouch according to  claim 11  wherein said closing membrane is permanently adhered to said front wall and said rear wall to seal the upper end of said pouch. 
   
   
       13 . The pouch according to  claim 7  wherein said closing membrane includes a gusset. 
   
   
       14 . The pouch of  claim 11  wherein said bottom end is sealed along a bottom edge of said bottom end and said pouch further includes at least one oblique seal extending obliquely from said bottom end to one of said sealed sides of said pouch. 
   
   
       15 . The pouch according to  claim 7  filled with a product within the pouch. 
   
   
       16 . The filled pouch according to  claim 15  wherein the product is edible. 
   
   
       17 . The filled pouch according to  claim 16  wherein the edible product is a dressing. 
   
   
       18 . The filled pouch according to  claim 17  wherein said dressing is a full fat or low fat mayonnaise. 
   
   
       19 . The pouch according to  claim 7  wherein the pouch is heat sealed on four sides. 
   
   
       20 . The pouch according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch is self supporting so that it can stand on one end of the pouch. 
   
   
       21 . The pouch according to  claim 1  wherein said extensions are capable of being bent downwardly in opposite directions along an outer surface of said one or more walls. 
   
   
       22 . A combined pouch and bottle comprising:
 (a) a pouch having at least one wall,   (b) a bottom end at the bottom of said at least one wall,   (c) an upper end at the top of said wall,   (d) said upper end including a membrane closing said end,   (e) said membrane including weakened portions to facilitate opening,   (f) said wall or walls including opposed extensions extending above said closure membrane,   (g) said extensions being releasably adhered to each other,   (h) said bottom end being sealed,   (i) and an outer bottle at least partly containing said pouch.   
   
   
       23 . A combined pouch and bottle comprising:
 (a) a pouch having at least one wall,   (b) a bottom end at the bottom of said at least one wall,   (c) an upper end at the top of said wall,   (d) said upper end including a membrane closing said end,   (e) said membrane including weakened portions to facilitate opening,   (f) said wall or walls including opposed extensions extending beyond said closure flap,   (g) said bottom end being sealed,   (h) and an outer bottle at least partly containing the pouch,   (i) said outer bottle comprising a sealed bottom end, at least one side wall, and an open upper end comprising a fastener,   (j) said extensions being disposed downwardly along an outer surface of said at least one outer bottle wall,   (k) a bottle closure, and   (l) said bottle closure being fastened to said bottle at said fastener.   
   
   
       24 . The combined pouch and bottle according to  claim 23  wherein said bottle fastener is a screw thread which mates with screw threads on an interior depending wall of said closure. 
   
   
       25 . The combined liner and bottle accord to  claim 23  wherein said closure includes a dispensing opening. 
   
   
       26 . The combined liner and bottle according to  claim 25  wherein said dispensing opening is a spout.