Re-usable carafe system with re-closable pouches

Abstract

An environmentally efficient packaging/delivery system that is cost effective, carbon effective and readily recyclable while being very usable for dispensing liquids (primarily dairy and juice) is disclosed. The system leverages light-weight flexible refill pouches with re-sealable closures that are securely installed in re-usable carafes in the home. Single-use packaging is reduced since light-weight flexibles are used as distribution and retail packaging, and a durable carafe is used repeatedly in the home.

1 . A material holding and dispensing apparatus comprising:
 a re-usable container comprising:
 a body comprising:
 a bottom portion and 
 a plurality of sides that are substantially perpendicular to and in communication with the bottom portion to form a container; 
 
 wherein the container is adapted to hold a re-closeable material containing pouch and 
 wherein the body comprises a material with sufficient strength to support the material containing pouch; 
 a receiving feature for receiving a fitment on the re-closeable material containing pouch wherein the receiving feature comprises a notch receiver wherein the notch receiver interfaces with a corresponding fitment notch; 
   the re-closeable material containing pouch for holding and dispensing the material comprising:
 a fitment attached to the pouch comprising:
 a neck that is complementary to a shape of the receiving feature and fits securely into the receiving feature of the container to support the pouch; 
 a fitment notch that interfaces with a corresponding container notch receiver in the receiving feature; 
 an opening for dispensing materials that is re-closable; 
 a closing mechanism that interacts with the fitment to temporarily close the opening; 
 
 wherein the pouch and fitment comprise recyclable materials. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the re-usable container further comprising:
 a window that permits an estimate to be made of the level of liquid in the pouch.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the re-usable container comprises
 a material that is capable of holding a liquid of a weight that is appropriate for the volume of the container.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the re-usable container comprises a shape that permits a first container to be nested inside an additional container and to hold a pouch of liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a separate handle that is removably attachable to the container. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the re-usable container comprises at least one attachment point for a removable handle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the notch receiver that interfaces with a corresponding notch on the fitment comprises a protrusion opening that allows the fitment to be:
 securely held to support the pouch,   resist twisting of the pouch,   to release the fitment if desired; and   positioned optimally for dispensing fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the re-closeable material containing pouch for holding and dispensing material further comprises:
 a fitment that fits securely into the receiving feature of the container to support the pouch and deter it from twisting but is removable from the receiving feature with adequate force;   an opening for dispensing material that is re-closable and indicates whether the opening has been opened previously; and   a recyclable material that holds the material for a desired amount of time without significant leaks.   
     
     
         9 . A reusable container for receiving and securing a biodegradable liner with a dispensing fitment comprising;
 A shell comprising
 A bottom; 
 A plurality of sides that are connected to the bottom and create a container; 
 A fitment receiving feature comprising:
 A deformable opening to receive the dispensing fitment attached to the biodegradable liner wherein the deformable opening comprises
 one or more flanges that deform to allow the dispensing fitment to be engaged in the opening before the flanges return to their original form and release-ably secure the fitment in the opening and wherein the form of the flanges is complementary to receiving openings on the fitment; and 
 a control notch that is complementary to the fitment notch on the fitment wherein the control notch and fitment notch fit together in a secure connection; 
 
 
   The biodegradable liner comprising:
 An enclosed space to hold material; 
 The dispensing fitment wherein the fitment is connected to the biodegradable liner and where the fitment comprises:
 An opening to dispense material; 
 A closing element that allows the fitment to be opened to dispense material and to be closed to stop the flow of material; 
 Engagable openings that correspond to the flanges of the deformable opening; and 
 The fitment notch that is complementary to the control notch on the fitment wherein the control notch and fitment notch fit together in a secure connection. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a window that permits an estimate to be made of the level of liquid in the pouch. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a separate handle that is removably attachable to the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the re-usable container comprises at least one attachment point for a removable handle. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the fitment further comprises:
 a shape that fits securely into the receiving feature of the container to support the pouch and deter it from twisting but is removable from the receiving feature with adequate force;   an opening for dispensing material that is re-closable and indicates whether the opening has been opened previously; and   a recyclable material.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the shape of the liner when filled is complementary to the inner form of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the receiving element temporarily deforms to allow the release of the fitment and the receiving element temporarily deforms to receive an additional fitment after the fitment is released and the receiving element returns to its original form to secure the fitment. 
     
     
         16 . A reusable container for receiving and securing a liner with a dispensing fitment comprising;
 A shell comprising
 A bottom; 
 A plurality of sides that are connected to the bottom and create a container; 
 A fitment receiving feature comprising:
 A deformable opening to receive the dispensing fitment attached to the liner wherein the deformable opening comprises
 one or more flanges that deform to allow the dispensing fitment to be engaged in the opening before the flanges return to their original form and release-ably secure the fitment in the opening and wherein the form of the flanges is complementary to receiving openings on the fitment; and 
 a control notch that is complementary to the fitment notch on the fitment wherein the control notch and fitment notch fit together in a secure connection; 
 
 
   The liner comprising:
 An enclosed space to hold material; 
 The dispensing fitment wherein the fitment is connected to the liner and where the fitment comprises:
 An opening to dispense material; 
 A closing element that allows the fitment to be opened to dispense material and to be closed to stop the flow of material; 
 Engagable openings that correspond to the flanges of the deformable opening; and 
 The fitment notch that is complementary to the control notch on the fitment wherein the control notch and fitment notch fit together in a secure connection. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , further comprising a window that permits an estimate to be made of the level of liquid in the pouch. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , further comprising a separate handle that is removably attachable to the container. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the fitment further comprises:
 a shape that fits securely into the receiving feature of the container to support the pouch and deter it from twisting but is removable from the receiving feature with adequate force;   an opening for dispensing material that is re-closable and indicates whether the opening has been opened previously; and   a recyclable material.   
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the receiving element temporarily deforms to allow the release of the fitment and the receiving element temporarily deforms to receive an additional fitment after the fitment is released and the receiving element returns to its original form to secure the fitment.