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US 2012/0248117 A1Published application
Re-usable carafe system with re-closable pouches
AssigneeEcologic
InventorsJulie Corbett, Romeo Graham, Robert Watters, Michael Sirois
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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.
11 more elements
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.
13 more elements
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.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.