Spout-Connector Assembly For Fluid Dispensing From Flexible Bags

A process for assembling a fitment on to a filled or unfilled container, comprising the following steps:

• (I) assembling a generally cylindrical internal slider valve into a generally cylindrical external valve body to form a valve body assembly into a primary seal position;
• (II) putting a cap on said external valve body of said valve body assembly;
• (III) assembling said assembly of said cap and said valve body assembly on to a generally cylindrical spout in a pre-cap position to form a fitment assembly, the spout defining an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;
• and
• (IV) affixing the assembly of Step (III) to said container;
• wherein said fitment assembly comprises said fitment for attachment to said container for holding and dispensing a fluid, wherein said fitment comprises:
• (A) providing said container comprising said fluid, with a fitment attached to said container,
• wherein said fitment is capable of accepting a dispensing connector that is part of a dispensing apparatus, wherein said dispensing connector connects the supply of said fluid to said dispensing apparatus, wherein said dispensing connector is either the QCD connector or the screw-on connector;
• (B) inserting said dispensing connector into said fitment to actuate an internal valve body within said fitment;
• and
• (C) dispensing said fluid from said container through said dispensing apparatus;
• wherein said fitment assembly comprises said fitment attached to said container for holding and dispensing said fluid, said fitment comprising:
• (i) a generally cylindrical spout attached thereto, wherein said spout comprises a base portion attachable to said container and a top portion suitable for receiving a dispensing connector, wherein said spout has a thread on the outer surface at the top portion for engagement with the dispensing connector;
• (ii) a generally cylindrical external valve body movable to a fixed position within the spout, said external valve body comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein said external valve body has a plurality of circumferentially located flexible tabs at the top end of said external valve body, wherein said top end engages the dispensing connector;
• (iii) a generally cylindrical internal valve body movable axially within the external valve body, the internal valve body movable between a closed position operable to prevent the flow of fluid through the fitment and an open position operable to allow the flow of fluid through the fitment, the internal valve body movable between closed and open positions by insertion of the dispensing connector into the external valve body adjacent the internal valve body, the internal valve body being biased toward the closed position;
• and
• (iv) a cap comprising an outer skirt, which defines a distal end, and an internal cylinder, wherein said cap in a precap position closes the spout such that the distal end of the outer skirt at its outer surface engages the top portion of the spout at the inner surface of the spout such that the outer skirt is between the spout and the external valve body, and the flexible tabs on the external valve body fit snugly in a space defined between said outer skirt and said internal cylinder to provide attachment of the cap to said fitment;
• wherein said fitment assembly is made from a synthetic resin material.