SPOUTED POUCH AND A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A spouted pouch (1) has a spout (10) with a neck (14) extending upward from an attachment portion (12). A cap unit (30) has a cap body (35) and an integrated ring member (50), made as one piece of plastic. A ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body and comprises an annular base portion (51) connected via breakable bridges (53) to the skirt. The base portion and the spout body (11) have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions (56, 21, 23) that keep the ring member fixed to the spout upon removal of the cap body. The pouch further comprises a flow control device (80) made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit. The flow control device is mounted to the neck (14) and has an external part (82) located outside of the exterior surface of the neck. The cap body is arranged over the neck and the flow control device. The ring member and the external part of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions (55, 83).

Claims

1. A spouted pouch comprising: a flexible material pouch body filled with a product to be dispensed, a spout having a spout body with an attachment portion that is attached to a flexible material pouch body, wherein said spout body has a tubular neck extending upward from said attachment portion, which neck delimits a section of a product passage that extends through the spout body, said neck having an exterior surface, a cap unit comprising a cap body and an integrated ring member, which cap unit has been made, e.g. moulded, as one piece of plastic material that is distinct from the spout, wherein the cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downward depending skirt having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body, said ring member comprising an annular base portion which is connected at least via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt of the cap body, said one or more breakable bridges breaking upon first time removal of the cap body by a user for dispensing of product from the pouch via the product passage, wherein the annular base portion and the spout body have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions that keep the ring member fixed to the spout upon removal of the cap body by the user, characterized in that the spouted pouch further comprises: a flow control device which has been made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit, which flow control device is mounted to the neck and has an external part that is located outside of the exterior surface of the neck, which flow control device is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the pouch body through the product passage, wherein the cap body is arranged over the neck and the flow control device, and wherein the ring member and the external part of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions that retain the flow control device relative to the spout.

2. The spouted pouch according to claim, 1, wherein the flow control device is a slidable valve member that is mounted on the neck so as to form a push-pull valve and so as to be slidable upward relative to the neck from a closed position to an opened position to open the product passage and downward to the closed position to close the product passage, wherein the slidable valve member has one or more sealing surfaces cooperating with one or more sealing surfaces of the neck of the spout in the closed position, and wherein the retention portions limit the upward motion of the slidable valve member.

3. The spouted pouch according to claim 2, wherein the external portion of the slidable valve member is embodied with a collar that extends around the exterior of the neck and with one or more outward protrusions forming one or more retention portions, and wherein the ring member is configured to allow for said up and down sliding of the slidable valve member, the ring member comprises a retention portion forming an abutment that limits the upward motion of the slidable valve member.

4. The spouted pouch according to claim 2, wherein the one or more sealing surfaces are located in proximity of the upper end of the neck and comprise an internal seal formed between a sealing surface on the inner surface of the neck and a sealing surface of an inner annular wall portion of the slidable valve member that extends into the neck.

5. The spouted pouch according to claim 2, wherein the slidable valve member has a transverse central wall portion and adjoining along a periphery thereof an upwardly extending inner annular wall portion forming a sealing surface of an internal seal that cooperates with a sealing surface on the inner surface of the neck, wherein the inner annular wall portion connects via a bridge wall portion to the top of the collar that extends coaxially about the inner annular wall portion, wherein an bottomed groove is present between the collar and the inner annular wall portion wherein the upper end of the neck is received.

6. The spouted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the flow control device is embodied as a valve, and wherein the cap body is embodied as a protective overcap.

7. The spouted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cap body is a snap-on type cap body providing a snap-on functionality so that the cap body can be replaced after first time removal, wherein the spout and/or the flow control device on the one hand and the cap body on the other hand are provided with cooperating snap connector formations to provide the snap-on functionality.

8. The spouted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cap body comprises a pair of wing-shaped handles, said wing-shaped handles extending outwardly from the skirt in mutually opposite directions and being configured to be engaged by a user for removal of the cap body.

9. The spouted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cap unit further comprises an integrated strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member.

10. The spouted pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cap unit is embodied with a turn lift functionality and comprises: at least one first cam portion defining a cam surface, which cam surface is angled with respect to a main axis of the neck, which first cam portion is integrally formed on one of the lower edge of the skirt and the ring member, and at least one second cam portion defining a cam follower surface adapted to interact with the cam surface of the first cam portion and which second cam portion is integrally formed on the other one of the lower edge of the skirt and said ring member, wherein, upon first time opening by rotation of the cap body relative to the neck about the main axis, the first and second cam portions interact in order to cause axial lifting of the cap body relative to the neck.

11. A closure assembly for a spouted pouch, the closure assembly comprising: a spout having a spout body with at a lower end thereof an attachment portion that is configured to be attached to a flexible material pouch body, wherein said spout body has at an upper end thereof a tubular neck, which neck delimits a section of a product passage that extends through the spout body, said neck having an exterior surface, a cap unit comprising a cap body, an integrated ring member, and, optionally, an integrated strap permanently securing the cap body to the ring member, which cap unit is made, e.g. moulded, as one piece of plastic material distinct from the spout, wherein the cap body comprises a top wall structure and a downward depending skirt having an interior side, exterior side, and a lower edge remote from the top wall structure, wherein the ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt of the cap body, said ring member comprising an annular base portion which is connected at least via one or more breakable bridges to the skirt of the cap body, said one or more breakable bridges breaking upon first time removal of the cap body by a user for dispensing of product from the pouch, wherein the annular base portion and the spout body have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions that are configured to keep the ring member fixed to the spout upon removal of the cap body by the user, characterized in that the assembly further comprises: a flow control device which is made distinct from the spout and from the cap unit, which flow control device is configured to be mounted to the neck and has an external part that is located outside of the exterior surface of the neck when the control device has been mounted to the neck, which flow control device is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the pouch body through the product passage, wherein the cap body is configured to be arranged over the neck and the flow control device when mounted to the neck, and wherein the ring member and the external part of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions that are configured to retain the flow control device relative to the spout.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

Description

[0087] The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0088] FIG. 1 shows an example of a spouted pouch according to the invention.

[0089] FIG. 2 shows the top portion of the pouch of FIG. 1,

[0090] FIG. 3 shows the closure assembly of the pouch of FIGS. 1, 2 in closed condition,

[0091] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the three components of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0092] FIG. 5 shows the three components from a different angle,

[0093] FIG. 6 shows the spout of the closure assembly,

[0094] FIG. 7 shows the slidable valve member of the closure assembly of FIG. 3 mounted to the neck of the spout and in closed position,

[0095] FIG. 8 shows a vertical cross-section of FIG. 7,

[0096] FIG. 9 shows a vertical cross-section of the slidable valve member of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0097] FIG. 10 shows the cap unit of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0098] FIG. 11 shows a vertical cross-section of the cap unit of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0099] FIG. 12 shows a vertical cross-section of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0100] FIG. 13 shows another vertical cross-section of the closure assembly of FIG. 3,

[0101] FIG. 14 shows the closure assembly of FIG. 3 with the cap body removed and with the slidable valve member in the opened position thereof,

[0102] FIG. 15 shows a subassembly of the cap unit and the slidable valve member of the closure assembly of FIG. 3, prior to the snap-fitting of the cap unit onto the spout,

[0103] FIG. 16 shows a variant of the subassembly, wherein the flow control device is embodied as a slit valve,

[0104] FIG. 17 shows another variant of the subassembly, wherein the flow control device is embodied as a flow restrictor.

[0105] In the appended FIGS. 1-15 a first exemplary embodiment of a spouted pouch with closure assembly according to the invention is illustrated.

[0106] The spouted pouch 1 has a flexible material pouch body 2 that is filled with a product to be dispensed, e.g. a liquid, e.g. a liquid food product, e.g. a beverage, or some other liquid product, e.g. soap, crème, detergent, non-edible oil, etc. As preferred, the pouch body is made of heat-sealable film material, e.g. of film material having one or more layers of plastic.

[0107] The spouted pouch is provided with a three-component closure assembly 5, that is composed of: [0108] a spout 10, [0109] a cap unit 30, and [0110] a flow control device 80.

[0111] As is common in the field the spout has a spout body 11, e.g. injection moulded of plastic material.

[0112] For example, the spout 10 is molded of plastic, preferably as a unitary spout body, e.g. of polyethylene (PE) or of polypropylene (PP).

[0113] The spout body has, in a lower end or region thereof, an attachment portion 12 that is attached to a flexible material pouch body. The depicted spout 10 is adapted to be secured with the portion 12 thereof between opposed film walls of a collapsible pouch 1. The portion here is essentially boat-shaped or canoe in horizontal cross-section but other shapes, e.g. oval, elliptical, circular, diamond, etc., are also possible.

[0114] As is common in the art said attachment may involve heat sealing, wherein the material of the pouch is heat sealed to the portion 12. The spout body 11 further has a tubular neck 14 that extends upward from the attachment portion 12. The neck 14 delimits a section of a product passage 15 that extends through the spout body 12.

[0115] The neck 14 has a lower end integral with the attachment portion 12, an upper end having an upper rim 16 about an upper opening 17 of the passage 15 The neck 14 has an interior surface 18 and an exterior surface 19.

[0116] The cap unit 30 comprises a cap body 35, an integrated ring member 50, and, as preferred, an integrated strap 65 permanently securing the cap body 35 to the ring member 50.

[0117] The cap unit 30 is made, e.g. moulded, as one piece of plastic material distinct from the spout 10.

[0118] The cap body 35 comprises a top wall structure 36 and a downward depending skirt 37, which has an interior side 37a, an exterior side 37b, and a lower edge 37c remote from the top wall structure 36.

[0119] The ring member 50 is integrally formed to the lower edge 37c of the skirt 37 of the cap body. The ring member comprises an annular base portion 51 which is connected via breakable bridges 53 to the skirt 37 of the cap body 35. These breakable bridges 53 break upon first time removal of the cap body by a user for dispensing of product from the pouch 1.

[0120] The annular base portion 51 and the spout body 11 have cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions that keep the ring member 50 fixed to the spout 10 upon removal of the cap body 35 by the user.

[0121] In this example, generally as described in WO2017/135824, the spout body is an integrally formed circumferential wall portion 20 that extends coaxially about a section of the neck to form an inner space 22 that is open from above for receiving the annular base portion 51 of the ring member therein. The wall portion 20 has at least one snap-fit feature for cooperation with a snap-fit feature of the base portion to form a permanent snap-fit.

[0122] It is illustrated that the circumferential wall 20 is erected on a circumferential flange 11a of the spout body that extends around the neck 14. In this example, as preferred, the spout body has an upper flange 11a and a lower flange 11b, e.g. allowing for handling of the spout as is known in the art.

[0123] It is illustrated that the wall portion 21 has multiple windows 21 therein, distributed about the circumference of the wall portion. The base portion has outwardly protruding snap portions that each snap into a corresponding window 21.

[0124] It is illustrated, as an example, that the wall portion has two sets of windows 21 for two sets of snap portions 56 at opposed sides of the neck, e.g. aligned in the plane of the top edge of the pouch.

[0125] The wall portion 20 has, preferably in addition to the windows 21, one or more further windows 23, here two windows arranged diametrically opposite relative to the neck 14. These further windows 23 each cooperate with another snap portion 56.

[0126] In another embodiment, not shown, the further windows 23 each cooperate with a latch tab of the overcap 35 in order to provide a releasable snap connection between the overcap 35 and the spout.

[0127] When placing the cap unit 30 on the spout, e.g. as preferred with the flow control device 80 being pre-assembly with the cap unit as a subassembly, the ring member 50 enters the inner space 21 and snaps into place.

[0128] Advantageously, the presence of the circumferential wall portion 20 provides a shield that shields the ring member 50 that has been introduced in the inner space 21. The ring member is shielded by the wall 20 which reduces a risk of an undesired release of the ring member 50 once the cap body 35 has been removed. The wall 20 may make it more difficult to loosen the ring member 50 by an act from the outside, like for example releasing the ring member 50 by nibbling on the neck of an opened closure assembly.

[0129] The flow control device 80 here is embodied to create a push-pull valve of the spouted pouch 1. The flow control device 80 is mounted to the neck 14 and has an external part, here embodied as a collar 81, that is located outside of the exterior surface of the neck 14. The flow control device 80 is configured to provide control of the flow of product from the pouch body through the product passage 15.

[0130] In the closed condition of the spouted pouch, the cap body 35 is arranged over the neck 14 and the flow control device 80.

[0131] As will be explained in more detail below, and as can be seen in the figures, the ring member and the external part 82 of the flow control device have cooperating retention portions 55, that retain the flow control device 80 relative to the spout 10.

[0132] In more detail, the depicted flow control device 80 is a slidable valve member that is mounted on the neck 14 so as to be slidable upward relative to the neck 14 from a closed position to an opened position (see FIG. 15) to open the product passage 15 and downward to the closed position to close the product passage.

[0133] The flow control device 80 is embodied to provide a closed position, so the functionality to keep the product passage closed. The cap body 35 is embodied as a protective overcap, so lacking the functionality to close the product passage 15. As is known in the art, the protective overcap 35 primarily serves to shield the neck 14 and flow control device 80 from access prior to removal of the cap body 35.

[0134] The flow control device 80 is molded of plastic material, e.g. as one piece, e.g. of PE or PP.

[0135] It is illustrated that the cap body 35, with the bridges 53 still intact, prevents the slidable valve member 80 from being moved into the opened position, e.g. by internal pressure and/or by external tampering.

[0136] The slidable valve member 80 has one or more sealing surfaces cooperating with one or more sealing surfaces of the neck of the spout in the closed position.

[0137] As is illustrated, the retention portions define the opened position of the slidable valve member and prevent further upward motion of the valve member 80.

[0138] As illustrated, the external portion of the slidable valve member is embodied with a collar 82 that extends around the exterior of the neck and with one or more outward protrusions forming one or more retention portions, here a flange 83 at a lowermost edge of the collar 82.

[0139] The ring member 50 is configured to allow for up and down sliding of the slidable valve member 82. The ring member 50 comprises a retention portion 55 forming an abutment for the outward protrusion, here flange 83, which abutment limits the upward motion of the slidable valve member relative to the neck and defines the opened position of the slidable valve member 82.

[0140] It is illustrated that the ring member and the slidable valve member have cooperating snap-fit portions that create a releasable snap-fit in at least one of the opened and the closed position of the slidable valve member, here in both the opened and closed position. Here, the annular base portion 51 of the ring member defines two snap-fit recesses 57, 58 at different heights for a portion of the outer periphery of an outward protrusion, here flange 83, of the slidable valve member 82. The lower recess 57 receives the flange 83 therein in a releasable snap-fit when the valve member 82 is in the closed position, and the upper recess 58 receives therein the flange 83 in the opened position of the valve member, again in a releasable snap fit.

[0141] It is illustrated that a light snap is provided for between the overcap body 35 and the flow control device 80 in combination with a stronger snap between the flow control device 80 and the spout 10. Here, the stronger snap provided by recess 58 cooperating with flange 83 will hold the slidable valve member 80 in its closed position as the user removes the overcap body 35 through release of a lighter snap between the overcap body and the member 80, e.g. as provided by one or more snap formations 39 (see FIG. 11) on the inside of the cap body 35 engaging underneath, or otherwise interacting with, a portion of the collar 82.

[0142] As illustrated, the one or more sealing surfaces are located in proximity of the open upper end of the neck 14.

[0143] An internal or first seal is formed between a sealing surface 18a on the inner surface 18 of the neck 14 and a sealing surface 86 of an inner annular wall portion 85 of the slidable valve member that extends into the neck 14.

[0144] An external, or second seal, is formed between a sealing surface 19a on the exterior surface of the neck and a sealing surface 82a of the collar 82 of the slidable valve member 80.

[0145] It is illustrated that the slidable valve member 80 has a transverse central wall portion 84 and adjoining along a periphery thereof an upwardly extending inner annular wall portion 85 forming a sealing surface 86 of the internal seal that cooperates with a sealing surface on the inner surface of the neck. The inner annular wall portion 85 connects via a bridge wall portion to the top end of the collar 82 that extends coaxially about the inner annular wall portion 85. An open-bottomed groove 88 is present between the collar 82 and the coaxial inner annular wall portion 85. At least in the closed position, the upper end of the neck 14 is received in the groove 88.

[0146] The valve member 80 is provided with outflow openings 89 which come into communication with the interior of the neck when the valve member is moved into the opened position so as to disengage the internal seal.

[0147] For discharge of product from the pouch 1, the user first removes the cap body 35 in which process the bridges 53 break evidencing the first time opening of the closure assembly. Then the user has access to the slidable valve member 80, which is then slid upward by the user from the initial closed position into the opened position. This opened condition of the closure assembly is depicted in FIG. 15.

[0148] In the opened position of the slidable valve member 80 the internal seal is disengaged, allowing for product flow out of the pouch via the outflow openings 89 in the valve member 80. The external seal between the neck 14 and the collar 82 is maintained in the opened position, so that no product will be discharged via said route and only via the outflow openings 89.

[0149] FIG. 15 illustrates a subassembly of the cap unit 35 and the flow control member 80 prior to mounting on the spout 10. For example, as depicted, the flow control member 80 is snap-fitted with a releasable, e.g. light, snap-fit join in the cap unit. For example, this releasable snap-fit is provided by the lower recess 57 which receives the flange 83 therein.

[0150] The subassembly allows for an effective method for the production of filled spouted pouches 1. The method comprises: [0151] providing an empty pouch with a spout 10 attached to the pouch body 2, [0152] filling the pouch with product via the product passage 15, [0153] providing the subassembly of the cap unit 30 and the flow control member 80, wherein the flow control member is initially retained within the cap body, [0154] mounting the subassembly on the spout 10 after filling of the pouch, said mounting involving pressing the subassembly onto the spout 10 so that the flow control device becomes mounted to the neck 14 and so that the cooperating permanent snap-fit joint portions 56, 21, 23 of the annular base portion and the spout body engage and keep the ring member fixed to the spout.

[0155] FIG. 16 shows a variant of the subassembly, wherein the flow control device 80′ is embodied as a slit valve 90. In this embodiment, the cooperating retention portions 55′ of the ring member 50′ and of the flow control device retain the flow control device relative to the spout in one fixed position, so immobile relative to the spout. This is envisaged as the slit valve 90 requires no motion relative to the neck.

[0156] FIG. 17 shows another variant of the subassembly, wherein the flow control device 80″ is embodied as a flow restrictor 95 having one or more outflow openings 95, here one, that have a smaller cross-section than the product passage delimited by the spout 10. For this flow control functionality, the device 80″ need not be mobile relative to the neck, at least not up and down. So, as shown, the ring member 50′ keeps the device 80″ in one fixed position.

[0157] It is illustrated in FIG. 17 that the cap body 35 now has a closing functionality, as the closing portion 96 thereof sealingly cooperates with the flow control device 80 to hermetically close the pouch in the closed position of the cap body 35. In the art many designs of such functionality are known and can be implemented in the context of the invention. The FIG. 17 serves as a simple example.

[0158] As illustrated the cap unit 30 comprises a cap body 35 embodied as a protective overcap, an integrated ring member 50, and, as preferred, an integrated strap 65 permanently securing the cap body 35 to the ring member 50′.

[0159] The cap body comprises one or more, here a pair of wing-shaped handles 40, here just one pair of wing-shaped handles, the one or more wing-shaped handles extending outwardly from the skirt 37, here in mutually opposite directions. These handles are configured to be engaged by a user for removal of the cap body.

[0160] It is illustrated, as is preferred, the strap 65 is integral at a first end 71 thereof to the base portion 51 of the member 50 and at a second end 72 thereof integral to one of the wing-shaped handles 40. The strap 65 is adapted to remain connected to both the base portion of the ring member and the respective wing-shaped handle upon removal of the overcap by the user.

[0161] It is illustrated, as is preferred, that the strap 65, prior to first time removal of the overcap by the user, is located in a plane, e.g. in a vertical plane, that is in common with a panel portion of the respective wing-shaped handle 40.

[0162] It is illustrated that the strap 65 extends outward from the base portion 51 towards a tip of the respective wing-shaped handle along the bottom side of the wing-shaped handle, further about the tip of the wing-shaped handle, and then along a portion of the top side of the wing-shaped handle to the second end 72 of the strap. As preferred, the second end is located inward of the tip of the handle 40, yet at a distance outward of the skirt 32.

[0163] It is illustrated, that the handles 40 each have at least one reinforcing top protrusion 76 that is integral with at least a portion of the top side of the panel portion of the respective handle 40 and which top protrusion protrudes away from main face of the panel portion so as to reinforce the panel, e.g. in view of forces applied by the user upon rotating the cap body for removal thereof.

[0164] It is illustrated, that the strap 65 is integral at a first end thereof to the base portion of the ring member and extends from the first end 71 along the bottom side of the panel portion about the tip of the panel portion to a second end 72 of the strap, wherein the second end of the strap adjoins the outer end of the reinforcing top protrusion 76.

[0165] It is illustrated, as is preferred, that the cap unit comprises one or more breakable tamper-evident bridges 74 that are located between the strap 65 and the respective wing-shaped handle 40, said one or more breakable tamper-evident bridges 74 breaking upon first time removal of the overcap by a user. In the depicted example, an integrally molded breakable film portion 74 extends over a major part of the length of the strap 65 between the handle 40 and the strap 40. Upon removal of the overcap 35 this film portion 74 is torn.

[0166] It is illustrated, as is preferred, that the cap unit is embodied with a quarter turn lift overcap 35. So, in general, the user will turn the overcap over about a quarter turn in the process of removal of the overcap.

[0167] It is illustrated, e.g. in FIG. 10, that the ring member 50 is provided with at least one, here two diametrically opposed, first cam portion 61 which defines a cam surface 62, which cam surface 62 is angled with respect to a main axis of the neck 14. The first cam portion 61 is integrally formed on the annular base portion 51 of the ring member 50.

[0168] It is illustrated that the skirt of the overcap 35, at the lower edge thereof, is provided with at least one, here two diametrically opposed, second cam portion 63 defining a cam follower surface 64 adapted to interact with the cam surface 62 of the first cam portion 61.

[0169] It is illustrated that the second cam portions 63 each are part of a downwardly extending tab 38 integrally formed at the lower end of the skirt and adapted to cooperate with the first cam surface 62. As shown, the cap body has two tabs 38 extending downwardly at diametrically opposed positions.

[0170] Upon first time opening by rotation of the overcap 35 relative to the neck about the main axis of the neck, the first and second cam portions 61, 63 interact in order to cause axial lifting of the overcap relative to the neck 14, e.g. enhancing that the bridges 53 break and any co-operating snap connector formations between the overcap 35 and the spout disengage.

[0171] It is illustrated that each first cam portion 61 has an upwardly arched first cam surface 62 with a centre and with first and second ends where the arched first cam surface adjoins the top face 54a of the flange-like portion 51. A breakable bridge 53 is present at each end of the upwardly arched first cam surface 62.

[0172] It is illustrated that a top region of the annular base portion 51 protrudes upwardly above the circumferential wall 20 and that the strap 65 adjoins at the first end thereof 71 this upwardly protruding top region. As preferred, the top region is part of the cam portion 61 on the ring member 50.

[0173] In another embodiment, the tabs 38 could have the dual function of providing the second cam portion 63 as well as being embodied as a latch tab to provide a releasable snap connection between the overcap 35 and the spout, which snap connection is also of use after the first time opening allowing the user to close the pouch again.

[0174] When placing the overcap 35 back onto the spout, e.g. latching the overcap 35 as described herein, the user automatically pushes the slidable valve member 82 down into the closed position thereof, as is preferred.