Self-expanding flexible pouch

A self-expanding, flexible pouch having a top portion and a throat area, said pouch comprising:

• (a) front and back sidewall panels superimposed over one another and sealed together along their top, side, and bottom peripheral edges, said panels having an inner surface;
• (b) an extensible stay attached to said inner surface of said front and back sidewall panels and located in said throat area of said pouch, said extensible stay having a relaxed, expanded configuration and a stressed, collapsed configuration, said stay initially being held in its said stressed, collapsed configuration by said top portion of said pouch, whereby said stay expands to its said relaxed, expanded configuration when said top portion of said pouch is removed, thereby expanding said throat area of said pouch;
• and
• (c) at least one line of weakness in said front and said back sidewall panels located below said top peripheral seal.

A sealed, self-expanding, flexible pouch having a top portion, a throat area subjacent said top portion, and a bottom portion, said pouch comprising:

• (a) front and back sidewall panels superimposed over one another and sealed together along their top and side peripheral edges, said panels having an inner surface;
• (b) an extensible stay attached to said inner surface of said front and back sidewall panels and located in said throat area of said pouch, said extensible stay having a relaxed, expanded configuration and a stressed, collapsed configuration, said stay initially being held in its said stressed, collapsed configuration by said top portion of said pouch, whereby said stay expands to its said relaxed, expanded configuration when said top portion of said pouch is removed, thereby expanding said throat area of said pouch;
• and
• (c) a bottom gusset panel attached to said inner surface of said front and back sidewall panels in said bottom portion of said pouch, said gusset panel initially being folded up into said pouch in a pleated arrangement, said gusset panel unfolding and expanding when a fluid is poured into said pouch, thereby expanding said bottom portion of said pouch into a substantially tubular configuration.

A self-expanding, flexible pouch having a top portion, a throat area, and a bottom portion, said pouch comprising:

• (a) front and back sidewall panels superimposed over one another and sealed together along their top and side peripheral edges, said panels having an inner surface;
• (b) an extensible stay attached to said inner surface of said front and back sidewall panels and located in said throat area of said pouch, said extensible stay having a relaxed, expanded configuration and a stressed, collapsed configuration, said stay initially being held in its said stressed, collapsed configuration by said top portion of said pouch, whereby said stay expands to its said relaxed, expanded configuration when said top portion of said pouch is removed, thereby expanding said throat area of said pouch;
• (c) a bottom gusset panel attached to said inner surface of said front and back sidewall panels in said bottom portion of said pouch, said gusset panel initially being folded up into said pouch in a pleated arrangement, said gusset panel unfolding and expanding when a fluid is poured into said pouch, thereby expanding said bottom portion of said pouch into a substantially tubular configuration;
• and
• (d) at least one line of weakness in said front and said back sidewall panels located below said top peripheral seal.