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Containers and methods for the reconstitution and dispensation of concentrated or powdered products

Containers and methods for the reconstitution and dispensation of concentrated or powdered products description/claims

The present invention relates generally to the field of containers. In especially preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to containers and methods which allow for the reconstitution and dispensation of concentrated or powdered products (e.g., potable concentrates or powders, such as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical drink products, including adult and pediatric nutritional drinks, infant formula, pre-natal drinks, sports drinks, pediatric electrolytes, liquid foods, veterinary. drinks and the like).

A variety of potable products are provided in the form of liquid concentrates or powders requiring the consumer to add an additional amount of water in order to reconstitute the product to a form that is ready to consume. There exists a need therefore in the art for a container which allows the product manufacturer to supply such concentrated or powdered products to the market in a sanitary, modified atmospheric and hermetically sealed environment while also allowing the consumer to easily reconstitute the product and dispense it once reconstituted from the same manufacturer-supplied container. It is towards fulfilling such a need that the present invention is directed.

Broadly, the present invention is embodied in containers which are especially adapted for the reconstitution and dispensation of concentrated or powdered products. In especially preferred embodiments, the containers of the invention include a sealed flexible pouch body defining an interior space, removable primary and secondary seal regions which seal primary and secondary openings into the interior space of the pouch body, and a resealable closure member provided adjacent the primary seal region for resealing the primary opening upon removal of the primary seal region. A strip thermometer may be physically attached to the pouch body so as to provide visual temperature indication of the reconstituted liquid product within the container.

Most preferably, the closure member includes cooperative male and female ribs, while the primary and secondary seal regions include respective tear notches. The primary and secondary seal regions may also include respective tear lines to allow the primary and secondary seal regions to be physically removed by tearing the pouch body therealong.

The pouch body may comprise a pair of bottom gusset walls to allow expansion the pouch body and thereby accommodate the desired amount of reconstitution liquid. Although the shape of the container is not critical to the present invention, it is preferred that the pouch body be provided with a pair of opposed pinch regions and/or a lip region below the secondary seal region. Also, in order to ensure proper filling of the reconstitution liquid, the pouch body most preferably includes a liquid fill line.

The containers of the present invention may be prepackaged with a desired amount of concentrated or powdered product for later reconstitution. Thus, in use when it is desired to reconstitute the prepackaged liquid concentrate or powdered product in the container, the primary seal region may be physically removed (e.g., by tearing along its respective tear line) and the resealable closure member opened so to expose the primary opening to the interior space of the container. A reconstitution liquid may then be introduced through the primary opening and into the container's interior space. Once the proper volume of reconstitution liquid has been introduced into the interior space of the container (e.g., which may be aided by a visible fill line and/or a clear or temperature-sensitive spot on the pouch film indicative of the proper liquid volume), the primary opening may be resealed by closing the closure member. While the closure member is closed, the reconstitution liquid and the concentrated or powdered product within the container may be mixed (e.g., by agitating the container) so as to form a reconstituted liquid product. Thereafter, removal of the secondary seal region will allow access to the reconstituted liquid product through the secondary opening. As such, the reconstituted liquid product may be dispensed from the container, such as by pouring into another receptacle or through straw inserted into the secondary opening.

These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments thereof.

Reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals throughout the various FIGURES denote like structural elements, and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one preferred embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention which is sealed with a pre-measured amount of a liquid concentrate or powdered product in need of reconstitution prior to consumption;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 but without the product contained therein;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the container depicted in FIG. 2 as taken along line 3-3 therein;

FIGS. 4-9 schematically represent one preferred technique for reconstituting the liquid concentrate or powdered product within the container depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 10-12 depict in perspective view alternative preferred embodiments of containers in accordance with the present invention which are sealed with a pre-measured amount of a liquid concentrate or powdered product in need of reconstitution prior to consumption.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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