Fitment assembly for a flexible container, flexible container having a fitment assembly and probe used for dispensing from a flexible container
AssigneeScholle IPN Corporation
InventorsSteve Ditore, Brent Haynam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fitment assembly comprising a cap member, a plug member and a tamper cover. The cap member includes a top deck with a central opening and a dispensing tube depending therefrom. The plug member is releasably coupled to the lower end dispensing tube. The plug member includes a base, plug clips and cap clips. The tamper cover is positioned over the central opening of the top deck. The disclosure further includes a flexible container formed with a flexible bag having a spout to which the fitment assembly is coupled as well as to a probe used for dispensing from the flexible container. Methods of use are further disclosed.
Claims20
A fitment assembly attachable to a spout, the fitment assembly comprising:
- a cap member including:
- a top deck with an upper surface and a lower surface,
- a spout coupling member comprising an outer dependent skirt and an inner dependent skirt spaced apart from the outer dependent skirt forming a channel structurally configured to accept the spout in sealed engagement therebetween;
- and
- a dispensing tube defining an elongated bore spaced apart from the inner dependent skirt, the dispensing tube defining an upper end proximate the lower surface of the top deck and terminating at a lower end, the dispensing tube further including an inner surface having a locking bead positioned between the upper end and the lower end, and a plug sealing bead proximate between the locking bead and the lower end;
- and
- a plug member fully separable from the dispensing tube when in a unsealed orientation, the plug member including:
- a base having a central region, and an outward face with a sealing region extending thereabout structurally configured to sealingly engage the plug sealing bead of the dispensing tube;
- at least two plug clips positioned opposite each other and extending from the base, each plug clip including a stem and terminating at a head, the head including an inward tab and an outward tab opposite the inward tab;
- and
- at least two cap clips positioned opposite each other and extending from the base and spaced apart from the at least two plug clips so as to alternate therewith, each cap clip including a stem terminating at a head, the head including an inward tab and an outward tab, the outward tab structurally configured to releasably engage with the locking bead of the dispensing tube when the plug member is in a sealed orientation;
- wherein the inward tabs of the at least two plug clips extend inwardly beyond the inward tabs of the at least two cap clips, and the outward tabs of the at least two cap clips extend outwardly beyond the outward tabs of the at least two plug clips.
A probe configured for use in association with a flexible container, the probe comprising a body including:
- an outer surface and an inner bore, the probe structurally configured to be insertable into a dispensing tube of a cap member;
- a locking portion disposed at a lower end of the body;
- a seal member disposed about the outer surface spaced apart from the locking portion, the seal configured for sealing engagement between the dispensing tube and the body of the probe;
- a probe bore extending therethrough and terminating at a bore opening through the outer surface, the bore opening defined between the locking portion and the seal member;
- an upper interfacing ridge positioned between an upper portion and the locking portion, the upper interfacing ridge configured to engage the locking bead to preclude further insertion of the probe into the dispensing tube;
- the locking portion structurally configured to engage a plurality of plug clips of a plug member so as to releasably engage therewith, wherein the probe is configured to direct the plug member between the sealed orientation and the unsealed orientation, separated from the dispensing tube, while being releasably coupled thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.