Easy to remove cap design
AssigneeLiqui-Box Corporation
InventorJames W. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a dispensing assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container. The dispensing assembly has a spout that communicates with the flowable material and defines a spout retention element. The assembly further has a cap configured to releasably attach to the spout. The cap has a first collar and a second collar, the first collar defining a cap retention element. The cap retention element is configured to contact the spout retention element such that the cap is affixed to the spout, and the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element is reversible, such that the cap is removed from contacting the spout.
Claims20
A dispensing assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container, the dispensing assembly comprising:
- a spout having an interior surface configured to communicate with the flowable material and an exterior surface defining a spout retention element;
- and
- a cap configured to releasably attach to the spout, the cap having:
- a first collar defining a cap retention element;
- a second collar spaced radially apart from the first collar;
- an end wall extending radially and connecting the first collar and the second collar, wherein the first collar and second collar extend approximately the same distance from the end wall;
- a gap defined radially between the first collar and the second collar;
- and
- a cap wall spaced radially away from the first collar and the second collar and located entirely on the side of the end wall from which the first collar and second collar extend, wherein the first collar, second collar, and cap wall are all perpendicular to the end wall, the cap wall defining an opening extending through the cap;
- and
- wherein the cap retention element is configured to contact the spout retention element such that the cap is affixed to the spout,
- wherein the cap is configured to receive the spout within the gap defined between the first collar and the second collar and to contact the spout with the first collar and with the second collar when the spout is within the gap;
- wherein the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element occurs entirely within the gap,
- wherein the opening defined by the cap wall is in fluid communication with the interior surface of the spout,
- wherein the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element is reversible, such that the cap is removed from contacting the spout.
A method of introducing fluid into a container through a dispensing assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving fluid into the container through a spout fixedly attached to the container;
- and
- affixing a cap to the spout, the cap having a first collar defining a cap retention element, a second collar spaced radially apart from the first collar, an end wall extending radially connecting the first collar and the second collar, wherein the first collar and second collar extend approximately the same distance from the end wall, and a gap defined radially between the first collar and the second collar, and a cap wall spaced radially away from the first collar and the second collar and located entirely on the side of the end wall from which the first collar and second collar extend, wherein the first collar, second collar, and cap wall are all perpendicular to the end wall, the step of affixing the cap to the spout including receiving the spout within the gap defined between the first collar and the second collar, contacting the spout with the first collar and the second collar, and contacting the cap retention element with a spout retention element disposed on the spout.
A method of dispensing fluid from a collapsible bag using a dispensing assembly, the dispensing assembly having a spout fixedly attached to the collapsible bag and a cap attached to the spout, the cap having a first collar defining a cap retention element, a second collar spaced radially apart from the first collar, an end wall extending radially and connecting the first collar and the second collar, wherein the first collar and second collar extend approximately the same distance from the end wall, and a gap defined radially between the first collar and the second collar, and a cap wall spaced radially away from the first collar and the second collar and located entirely on the side of the end wall from which the first collar and second collar extend, wherein the first collar, second collar, and cap wall are all perpendicular to the end wall, the spout being disposed within the gap between the first collar and the second collar and being in contact with the first collar and the second collar, the spout having a retention element, wherein the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element occurs entirely within the gap, the method comprising:
- opening the dispensing assembly such that the fluid is permitted to move from the collapsible bag through the spout and out of the dispensing assembly;
- and
- actuating movement of the fluid from the collapsible bag through and out of the dispensing assembly.
A fitment for use on a collapsible bag for dispensing of fluids from the collapsible bag, the fitment comprising:
- a spout having an exterior surface defining a spout retention element, the spout further having a flange configured to engage with the collapsible bag;
- and
- a cap having:
- a first collar having a cap retention element thereon;
- a second collar;
- an end wall extending radially and connecting the first collar and the second collar, wherein the first collar and second collar extend approximately the same distance from the end wall;
- and
- a cap wall radially disposed on the cap and located entirely on the side of the end wall from which the first collar and second collar extend, wherein the first collar, second collar and cap wall are all perpendicular to the end wall, the cap wall defining an opening extending through the cap, and
- wherein the cap defines a gap radially between the first collar and the second collar;
- and
- wherein the cap retention element is configured to releasably engage with the spout retention element,
- wherein the cap is configured to receive the spout in the gap defined between the first collar and the second collar and to contact the spout with the first collar and with the second collar when the spout is within the gap,
- wherein the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element occurs entirely within the gap, and
- wherein the cap retention element is configured to contact the spout retention element such that the cap is affixed to the spout.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.