Single seam handheld confectionary dispenser

Abstract

A handheld confectionary dispenser includes a flexible hollow pouch. The pouch presents an interior chamber and is configured to contain confectionary within the chamber. The chamber has a cross-sectional transverse dimension that is larger at a reservoir end than at a dispensing end. The pouch is configured to be grasped between the ends by a hand of the user so that confectionary is forced through the dispensing end when the pouch is squeezed. The pouch is formed of a unitary pouch blank that presents integral pouch sections. The pouch blank is folded to define a fold line between the pouch sections, with the pouch sections being superimposed onto one another. The pouch sections are sealingly connected along a side margin opposite the fold line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld confectionary dispenser comprising:
 a flexible hollow pouch presenting an interior chamber, with the pouch being configured to contain confectionary within the chamber,   said pouch extending longitudinally to present a dispensing end and an opposite reservoir end,   said chamber having a cross-sectional transverse dimension that is larger at the reservoir end than at the dispensing end,   said pouch being configured to be grasped between the ends by a hand of the user so that confectionary is forced through the dispensing end when the pouch is squeezed,   said pouch being formed of a unitary pouch blank that presents integral pouch sections,   said pouch blank being folded to define a fold line between the pouch sections, with the pouch sections being superimposed onto one another,   said pouch sections being sealingly connected along a side margin opposite the fold line.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said fold line defining a line of symmetry for the pouch sections, with the pouch sections being substantially identically shaped.   
     
     
         3 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said pouch defining a reservoir portion adjacent the reservoir end and a dispensing portion adjacent the dispensing end, with the chamber extending continuously between the portions,   said reservoir portion being configured to move confectionary toward the dispensing portion when the reservoir portion is selectively compressed.   
     
     
         4 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said cross-sectional transverse dimension comprising a cross-sectional area of the chamber, with the cross-sectional area being greatest at the reservoir portion and smallest at the dispensing portion.   
     
     
         5 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 4 ,
 said cross-sectional area of the chamber progressively decreasing along the dispensing portion toward the dispensing end.   
     
     
         6 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 5 ,
 said side margin being generally straight and extending along a substantially constant angle along the dispensing portion.   
     
     
         7 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said dispensing portion presenting a maximum length of about two inches.   
     
     
         8 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said reservoir portion of the pouch having a greater interior chamber volume than the dispensing portion.   
     
     
         9 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said pouch being sealed closed adjacent the reservoir end,   said pouch being prefilled with confectionary.   
     
     
         10 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 said pouch sections being sealingly connected along a common end margin to close the pouch adjacent the reservoir end.   
     
     
         11 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said dispensing end of the pouch being at least partly open; and   a dispensing fitment sealingly coupled to the pouch adjacent the dispensing end so as to communicate with the chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said dispensing fitment including a universal threaded outlet connection for use with a variety of dispensing nozzles.   
     
     
         13 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said dispensing fitment being located closer to the fold line than to the side margin.   
     
     
         14 . The handheld confectionary dispenser as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 said pouch sections being sealingly connected along a common end margin to close an end portion of the pouch adjacent the dispensing end,   said dispensing fitment being spaced from the side margin, with the common end margin extending between the side margin and the dispensing fitment.